Exhale Health and Lifestyle Magazine -Winter 2011 by Banner Publications Inc.

Exhale Magazine

Winter 2011 Winter2011

Winter 2011

Health Health and and Lifestyle Lifestyle Magazine Magazine for for Women women

Swanee Swanee Hunt Hunt Force of

Force of positive positive nature The daughter nature of a Texas

The oildaughter tycoon, Hunt of a Texas brings passion to battles oil tycoon, Hunt brings for to racial and passion battles gender for racial equality and gender equality

Health Health Matters Matters Go Red Go Red

Heart Disease. The Heart number 1 killer Disease. The of American number 1women killer of American women

Carolyn Stuart A A question question of of faith faith and a little hard and a little hard work work

Survivorship Survivorship

Personal stories of life Personal changing stories decisions of life changing decisions

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SIMMONS BOSTON • MASSACHUSETTS

TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING

THAT LINKS PASSION WITH LIFELONG PURPOSE. Executives, ambassadors, entrepreneurs, educators, health care professionals, policy makers, archivists, and physical therapists — just a handful of the amazing roles that Simmons graduates enjoy. Our faculty are highly respected practitioners in their respective fields. Our students participate in work with their professors, or in internships and field placements at some of Boston’s most prestigious companies and organizations. For over 100 years, Simmons has helped students distinguish themselves in all walks of life. Providing a vibrant, student-centered educational community of learning, leadership, and making a difference. Our many academic paths and offerings include: College of Arts and Sciences

School of Health Sciences

Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences

• Undergraduate Studies

• Health Care Administration

• Graduate Studies in Education, Communications, & Liberal Arts

• Nursing

• Archives Management

• Nutrition

School of Management • MBA • Entrepreneurship

School of Social Work • Urban Leadership

• Physical Therapy

www.simmons.edu • 617.521.2000

Health Matters Heart Disease/Stroke 11 Exercise 14 Survivorship 16 Confronting Health Care Disparities Head-On 18 Patients and Families Help Create a Place of Healing 20 Weight Loss 22

36 Swanee Hunt

Recipes By Any Greens Necessary 26

Force of positive nature

American Heart Recipes 29

The daughter of a Texas oil tycoon, Hunt brings passion to battles for racial and gender equality

Beauty Tips Everyone possesses beauty; letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s define it for you 54

Quick-Get-A Ways Tropical Getaways 63 Massachusetts Ski Getaways 65

In every issue Finance 57 Events Calendar 66 Resource Directory 71

By Any Greens Necessary A Revolutionary Guide for Black Women Who Want to Eat Great, Get Healthy, Lose Weight, and Look Phat.

Evelyn Reyes embraces the true meaning of living in the moment

Saran Kaba Jones harnesses social skills and social networks to benefit her native Liberia

The fight of her life

The Connector

42 On

Sandra Casagrand Publisher

Carolyn Stuart

Howard Manly Executive Editor

our front cover

A question of faith and a little hard work

Walter Waller Executive Creative Director

After her husband died, Carolyn Stuart faced the difficult prospect of raising two children alone. And that’s when her family answered the call.

Joshua Falkenburg Graphic Designer Contributing Writers Colette Greenstein Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil Sandra Larson Howard Manly Christine McCall Brian W. O’Connor Photographers Ian Justice Kim Kennedy

Photograph by Ian Justice, www.ianjustice.com, wonderfulmachine.com Hair and make up by Kathleen Schiffmann, Team Artist Representative

Copy Editors Rachel Edwards Reynolds Douglass Graves Tyler Thurston Exhale is a quarterly magazine distributed throughout the Greater Boston region. For detailed information about our distribution visit our website www.exhalelifestyle.com.

50 Dreaming of COCO She is known as Nara Paz, short for Nara Lucia D'Avila Paz-Gain, and she has come a long way to the world of high fashion. It all started with a little, red pinafore dress.

Boston media personality Gail Huff is wearing the gown that Nara Paz designed for her to wear to the White House Christmas Ball that she attended with her husband U.S. Sen. Scott Brown. (Bill Downey photo)

To subscribe Annual subscription cost is $25. Mail check to: Banner Publications, Inc. 23 Drydock Avenue Boston, MA 02210 If paying by credit card please contact Rachel Edwards at (617) 261-4600 ext. 119. For advertising opportunities Please contact Sandra Casagrand at (617) 261-4600 ext. 111 or visit our website to download the media kit – www.exhalelifestyle.com Send letters to the publisher to sandra@bannerpub.com.

23 Drydock Avenue, Boston, MA 02210

Exhale W 10p4-7_Fall10.indd 7

1/13/11 10:02:34 AM

ourContributors Finance Marcel V. Quiroga Vice President of Wealth Management Relationships at Capital Formation Group, a Registered Investment Advisory firm that provides the services of financial planning, investment management, insurance management, and philanthropic advising. She began her career 16 years ago in Latin America, with FUNDES, a global non-profit, where she negotiated with banks and private financial funds. Following that role, her career has included raising capital for a highly ranked private financial fund, and managing high-net worth relationships at Banco Mercantil. She has held key positions with the Individual Investment Group of Morgan Stanley, and managed multi-million dollar client relationships at the Private Banking and Investment Group of Merrill Lynch.

Photography

Hair and Make Up (Beauty Tips) Mariolga Make up and Hair. “Let’s make a beautiful picture” is Mariolga’s motto when it comes to make up. And she’s got the mojo to back it up. Mariolga was born in Puerto Rico. She attended the Pratt Institute and graduated from Lasell College with a degree in fashion. Not only is she an expert at make up application, she also has an art and fashion background, to boot. Having worked in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles and Tuscany, Mariolga has garnered a reputation for adapting well to any situation and making it her job to stay on top of the latest make up trends. She says she’s inspired most by the harmony she finds in nature; especially how its colors, shapes and shadows are always so perfect. But Mariolga admits that some days, a good cup of coffee and some good music can be just as inspiring. She is the mother of three children and lives in Walpole, Mass.

Photography Kim Kennedy From his birthplace in Munich, Germany, to the fashion centers of Milan, Paris and Madrid, to his now home in Metro Boston, Kim Kennedy brings passion, talent and eclectic international flair to his photography craft. He studies formally at the Franklin Institute and New England School of Phography in Boston. In his tenure in the fashion business, Kennedy has worked in house as the Senior Fashion Photographer for Filenes Boston and as a Principal for K Squared Studios. His list of notable clients include: Macy’s West, Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Addidas, Kenneth Cole, Arnold Worldwide Advertising, Satchi and Satchi and Casual Male. His photographs have appeared in Spanish Marie Claire, Spanish Elle, the Source and other high end publications. His passions include his loving family, photography, running marathons, scuba diving and skiing.

Clothing Designer Porntip Hotarwaisaya A young fashion designer from Thailand who recently graduated from the School of Fashion Design in Boston. She was one of five young designers featured in the 2010 Boston Fashion Week and the only one from Asia. Hotarwaisaya began her career as a school teacher, but fashion was always something that she loved. She believes true fashion design is naturally coming from inside oneself. She hopes to design and create her own brand in the future. Hotarwaisaya is currently living in Boston and has plans to move to New York for work.

Ian Justice A native of picturesque Melton Mowbury in England, Ian Justice has wrought his sense of style and impeccable work ethics into a photography career that approaches the two-decade mark. Justice not only makes beautiful images for print and web-based advertising, but realizes worlds in which products tell a story. His skill with the camera and profound knowledge of the equipment and its possibilities make each project sparkle with creative freedom and originality. A unique education at The College of Wooster in Ohio, with a major in Studio Arts/Photography and a minor in Psychology, have given Justice work a distinguished style that carries through all his projects. Justice’s studio location in the Metro Boston area is the launching base to assignments that have taken him to places like Iceland, Italy, France, Brazil, Hawaii and all over the United States. His experience in the world of fashion and photography, combined with a driven and easygoing personality, makes Justice the ideal creative companion for any project.

Hair and Make Up (cover) Kathleen Schiffmann Is a boston-based hair and make up artist represented by Team Artist. www. teamartistrep.com

o say that 2010 was a challenging year is putting it mildly. While the tough economy was an issue for so many, some were also dealing with difficult health issues faced by loved ones and friends. Despite these hard times, I am choosing to look optimistically toward the future. In this edition of Exhale, we found strong women who displayed perseverance that was not stripped even during some of their lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest struggles. Though each woman is different, the common thread they share is a passionate commitment to their lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. These women show us how to lead purposeful lives. The Exhale team is looking forward to a productive year and excited about upcoming issues for 2011.

Sandra Casagrand

P.S. Special thank you to Phillips Evans and his wife Margo Ouellette for allowing us to shoot the cover at their fabulous condominium.

Photograph by Ian Justice, www.ianjustice.com, wonderfulmachine.com Hair and make up by Kathleen Schiffmann, Team Artist Representative

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Health Matters Heart Diseases

One Day a Year, What You Wear speaks volumes.

Wear Red and Speak Up!

Most of the time, selecting

clothing isn’t that critical. But on Wear Red Day,

February 4,

2011, it’s vitally

important. That’s because wearing red on National Wear Red Day or any day makes a statement

No. 1 killer of American women: heart disease, the cause of one in every three female deaths. about the

African American Women at risk

While diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, physical inactivity, overweight/obesity and a family history of heart disease are major risk factors for heart disease among all American populations, at least one or more of these risk factors are greatly prevalent among African American women. They are also less likely than Caucasian women to know that they may have major risk factors. Statistics include: • Cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death for African American women. • In 2005, among African American women who died, heart disease was the cause of death 37 percent of the time. • For non-Hispanic blacks age 20 and older, 44 percent of women have high blood pressure, a leading cause of stroke. • Non-Hispanic black women have a prevalence of diabetes two times higher than non-Hispanic white women. • Among non-Hispanic black women, 78 percent are overweight or obese, 53 percent are obese. • About 46 percent of non-Hispanic black women and men age 20 and older have cardiovascular diseases. • Physical inactivity is more prevalent among African Americans with only 36 percent of non-Hispanic black women considered regularly active. • In 2006, 19 percent of black females smoke cigarettes.

Hispanic Women at risk

• About 30 percent of all deaths in Hispanic females are caused by diseases of the heart and stroke. • Only one in three Hispanic women is aware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer. In fact, studies show that Hispanic women’s cardiovascular disease risk is comparable to the cardiovascular disease risk of Caucasian women about ten years older. • High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. The prevalence of high blood pressure for Mexican-American women over 20 years old is 31 percent. • Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death for Hispanic women, behind diseases of the heart and cancer. It’s also a leading cause of serious, longterm disability. • Among Mexican-American women, 74 percent are overweight or obese, 42 percent are obese. • The risk of heart disease increases with physical inactivity, and only 39 percent of Hispanic women consider themselves physically active.

Warning Signs of Heart Attack

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort with one or more of these symptoms: • Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in the arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. • Shortness of breath. • Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Warning Signs of Stroke

The key to recognizing signs of a stroke is that they are SUDDEN: • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. • Sudden severe headache with no known cause. If you or someone you know experiences any of the heart attack or stroke warning signs, call 911 immediately!

exhalelifestyle.com

Against all odds Personal stories of life changing decisions Lisa Deck Melanie Harvey Julia Pacheco

Melissa Pacheco Anne Elise Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor

Exhale â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2011

Health Matters Heart Diseases Name: Anne Elise O’Connor, Heart Disease Survivor Hometown: Newton, MA Age: 53

I’m Anne Elise and my family history is rich with heart disease. My heart almost stopped working when I was 30, just as my father’s had, permanently, when he was 32. I GO RED for my father and both of my grandfathers who inspired me to take my health seriously. My cardiologist told me to get my affairs in order because my heart may not recover from the viral infection, myocarditis, that had weakened it. I enrolled in the Cardiac Metabolic Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. That helped me understand my risk factors and make proactive lifestyle changes. I quickly got bored with exercising so I ran triathlons and marathons for charity. I ran and walked the Train to End Stroke half marathon in Hawaii in 2008 on my 51st birthday. I have survived three of life’s major challenges: heart disease, cancer and a rather sensational divorce. I combined the wisdom gained from those experiences with my storytelling and public speaking ability, and now I specialize in speaking to companies and groups going through difficult changes and challenges.

Name: Lisa Deck, Stroke Survivor Hometown: North Attleboro, MA Age: 34

I’m Lisa. I’m a three-time stroke survivor, a mom, a wife and a daughter. I’m a passionate advocate for the American Stroke Association and I GO RED because it’s important for women to take care of themselves, know warning signs of heart disease and stroke and to take action when needed. I was a healthy, typical 21-year-old college student when my life changed forever. A week before graduation, I developed a terrible headache and sensory overload. After two days of staying in bed, I went to the hospital, where the doctor quickly dismissed me as having a migraine. I later returned to the E.R., where it was determined I suffered a stroke. This was the beginning of a lifelong battle with a brain disease and stroke. I had two more strokes despite severe treatment for my brain disease — central nervous system vasculitis. Since my diagnosis, I have become a dedicated, passionate volunteer with the American Heart Association. Over the past seven months, I have lost 15 pounds, as well as toned and strengthened my body. Making good health choices is the best gift I can give myself and others around me.

Theresa Eckstein

Name: Melanie Harvey, Family History and Focus on Prevention Hometown: Plymouth, MA Age: 51

I’m Melanie and I lost my mother to heart disease when she was only 55 years old. I completely changed my lifestyle from unhealthy eating habits to exercising regularly and getting involved in fun physical activities like kayaking and golf. I GO RED for my mom and for all women who have the power to prevent heart disease.

Having lost my mom so unexpectedly makes this cause very near and dear to my heart. I have been fortunate to work with the American Heart Association this past year by participating in the BetterU Program and blogging about it on the Ocean Spray website. I am choosing to get moving, eat healthfully and take control of my weight. I am choosing to manage my cholesterol and blood pressure, and not to ignore symptoms of heart disease.

Name: Melissa Pacheco, Mother of Children with CHD and Lifestyle Change Hometown: Westport, MA Age: 36

I’m Melissa and this is my daughter, Julia, who was born with a congenital heart defect. While volunteering at an awareness event for congenital heart defects in 2007, I realized how overweight I had become due to unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity. I wanted to be a good role model for my daughter and decided to get healthy by choosing the right foods to eat and exercising regularly. I went from a size 16 to a size 2 and feel amazing! I GO RED for my daughter Katelyn, who lost her brave battle with congenital heart defects, and to encourage Julia and other women to take care of themselves. Both of my children were born with a less than perfect heart — like thousands of children. Knowing firsthand how precious our hearts are, how could I not take the best care of mine? How could I tell other women and families how important it was to take care of their heart if I wasn’t doing everything I could? So I hit the gym and never looked back. It was hard work — cardio, eating right and then I added strength training and got serious with my diet. Fifty pounds and six dress sizes later, I love to exercise and healthy food never tasted better. I do not miss food that gives me energy for 10 minutes then has me craving more bad food. I traded cheese curls for hammer curls and TV for exercise. I love how I feel and how my clothes fit.

Name: Theresa Eckstein (“TC”), Heart Disease Survivor Hometown: Westfield, MA Age: 44 My name is Theresa and I got involved with the American Heart Association after my dad passed away from congestive heart failure at 55. I was diagnosed with heart disease in 2005. I GO RED to empower all women to know the facts and encourage simple changes that make a big impact. Postpartum my weight went back to 150 pounds, when during pregnancy it peaked at 290 pounds. Over the next 5 years my weight kept shifting. By 2005, I was feeling weary constantly and depressed. I was being picked on for being lazy and overweight, and it hurt because I wasn’t overeating and couldn’t understand why I was so tired. Today my weight is down to 162 from being as high as 282. I look and feel great. I believe sharing and caring are some of the many ways I can give to others, and I pray all people afflicted with heart disease may see my story and have the strength and courage to go on.

exhalelifestyle.com

Health Matters Exercise

The Power Fitness Plan We have created a workout plan to get you moving toward a healthier and more powerful you! You can complete this workout plan from your home or while traveling. Adults with chronic conditions should talk with their health care provider to determine whether their conditions limit their ability to do regular physical activity. Make sure that you have clearance from your doctor before starting any exercise program. Begin by planning for 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. One way to accomplish this is to exercise 3 days per week for 30 minutes per day. We suggest taking on the philosophy “start low and go slow.” Start with low intensity cardio for 30 minutes per day and then slowly increase the intensity and duration

Exhale • Winter 2011

as time progresses. This plan begins with light cardio in order to build your endurance, then adds weights into your workouts that will increase lean muscle mass. In order to make working out a consistent part of your life, you should work out on the same days of the week and around the same time to form a habit. A great schedule is Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday/ Saturday, so that you have a day off in between workouts to allow your body to recover. Once the habit is formed, it is much easier to stick with your new routine and enjoy all the benefits of consistent exercise! For the full 30/60/90 Day (12 weeks) Exercise Plan, visit http://www.powertoendstroke.org/fitness.

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

30 Day Exercise Plan At home or while traveling

What you will need: 3 sets of free weights (light, medium and heavy) and a jump rope while at home. If you are in a hotel you will need a rubber exercise band, jump rope and 5-pound weighted gloves. If you are at a hotel, you can ask the front desk if there is a jogging path nearby or you can walk on a safe, suitable surface around the perimeter of the hotel. Be sure to warm up by walking and performing light stretches for 5-7 minutes before starting these workouts.

DAYS 1-30 Week 1: Getting started! • Day 1 - Walk outside on flat terrain for 30 minutes. • Day 2 - Repeat Day 1. • Day 3 - Walk outside on flat terrain for 20 minutes. 75 jump rope rotations.

Week 2 • Day 1 - Walk outside on flat terrain for 20 minutes. Add 30 jumping jacks and 5 knee pushups (at least 2 sets). • Day 2 - Repeat Day 1. • Day 3 - Walk outside on flat terrain for 20 minutes. Add 40 jumping jacks, 70 jump rope rotations, 10 knee pushups and 10 sit ups (at least 2 sets).

Week 3: Add light weights or weighted gloves to your walk. • Day 1 - Walk outside on some flat terrain and if possible, add some hills for 20 minutes using 5 pound weights or weighted gloves in a pumping like motion as you walk. Add 40 jumping jacks, 10 regular pushups, and 15 sit ups (at least 3 sets). • Day 2 - Repeat Day 1. • Day 3 - Walk outside on some flat terrain and if possible add some hills for 20 minutes using 5 pound weights or weighted gloves in a pumping like motion as you walk . Add 40 jumping jacks, 10 knee pushups, 10 regular pushups, and 20 sit-ups (at least 3 sets).

Week 4: Adding light weights to cardio. • Day 1 - Speed walk outside for 15 minutes and lightly jog for 5 minutes (switching 5 mins speed walk then 5 mins light jog). Add 40 jumping jacks, 10 regular pushups ,10 sit-ups and 10 bicep curls with light weights (at least 2 sets). • Day 2 - Speed walk outside for 10 minutes and lightly jog for 10 minutes (switching 5 mins speed walk then 5 mins light jog). Add 50 jump rope rotations, 15 regular pushups, and 20 sit-ups, 15 bicep curls with bands or weights, and 10 tricep dips (at least 2 sets). • Day 3 - Repeat Day 2 adding 2 sets of 20 bicycles.

exhalelifestyle.com

Health Matters Survivorship

the fight

of her life

Evelyn Reyes embraces the true meaning of living in the moment

Photographer Mark McCarty

By Christine McCall

Of all the things that have changed in her life, Evelyn Reyes believes that developing a sense of urgency is among the top. Even now, six years after discovering she had colon cancer, she keeps herself busy. “Petty issues drive me insane,” she says. “I definitely want to have more experiences. I always want to be doing something.” By day she works as an executive assistant at a downtown Boston financial institution. By night she produces and anchors television shows for Boston Latino TV. That being said, Reyes, 39, makes a point of doing her favorite things — dancing, traveling, dining out and seeing friends and family. Reyes takes at least four major trips a year and most recently went to Washington, D.C. to tour the White House. And she already has plans for a cruise in February. The one thing she doesn’t do, the one thing she can’t do, is feel ashamed about her body. Or the 9-inch scar that runs vertically down her abdomen. Diagnosed in 2004 with colon cancer, Reyes refuses to hide the scar when sunbathing at the beach or dancing at a nightclub in one of her more revealing outfits. For her, the scar is a symbol of what she has overcome rather than a sign of weakness. “I think my spurts of anger or sadness were short,” she explains. “With cancer you have no control and you have to accept that.” It wasn’t always like that. When Reyes first learned of her condition, she was in a state of disbelief. With no family history of colon cancer, it was the furthest thing from her mind. “I was just shocked,” Reyes recalls. She had more questions than answers. “Why me?” Reyes says she asked. “What caused it?” The exact cause of colon cancer is not known, but what is known are the many conditions that increase one’s risk for the disease, including age, genetics, inflammatory intestinal disorders or a history of colon polyps. Common in people over the age of 50, polyps have a long latency period and if left alone, they can eventually turn into cancer. At the time of Reyes’ diagnosis, colon cancer was one of the leading forms of cancer in the United States and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. It was also mostly found in people over the age of 54. Reyes was only 33 years old when she felt the first sign of trouble. It was September 2004 and she was vacationing in the Dominican Republic. At first, Reyes dismissed the sharp sporadic pains in her stomach as a bad reaction to a drink containing coconut milk. Back in Boston, Reyes pressed on with her busy work and social schedule. But the pains were intensifying and she was having trouble going to the bathroom. She was also losing weight. By November, the abdominal pains had become unbearable. In the emergency room, a CT scan revealed that Reyes needed immediate surgery to remove a bowel obstruction. Reyes underwent a colectomy, where doctors removed a one-foot section of her colon, followed by a procedure for a temporary colostomy.

Soon after the surgery, pathology reports came back confirming that Reyes had Stage 3C colon cancer, meaning the tumor had spread beyond the colon to her lymph nodes. Dr. David Ira Soybel performed Reyes’ initial surgery and is still baffled by her case. “Now colon cancer is more common in African American and Asian groups, and perhaps also among some Hispanic groups, as compared to Caucasians,” he says. “But these associations do not really explain why she had developed carcinoma so early in life or the location of the tumor, compared to the more common range of 50 to 60 years of age and the locations often seen in younger patients.” The surgery took its toll on Reyes and her support network of family and friends. Weak and in pain from the operation, Reyes needed help and had to move in with her mother for three months while recovering. Reyes’ mother cooked, fed and bathed her. “For the first couple weeks she slept with me,” Reyes says. “She pretty much did everything.” Though Reyes’ mother died in September of 2009 after an unsuccessful battle against adrenal cancer, she left her daughter lessons on courage and strength. “The majority of whatever strength I got, I inherited from my mother,” Reyes says. “The other percentage of it is my own personality. I just have a very special way of dealing with adversity.” Those ways included organization and planning. Knowing that she had six months of chemotherapy, she enlisted the help of friends and family through a massive e-mail detailing her treatment dates and times. They in turn signed up for available sessions. “It’s really important to have the support of friends and family,” Reyes says. Debra Caminiti, a close friend of Reyes for the past 14 years, joined her for one of the treatments. “The chemo session was in a pleasant sunny room and Evelyn seemed comfortable,” Caminiti recalls. To pass the time, Caminiti brought Reyes some lunch and foot cream. While Reyes received chemo, Caminiti washed and massaged Reyes’ feet over conversation about their lives — work, friends and family. “It broke my heart to see her go through the

“The majority of whatever

strength I got, I inherited from my mother. The other percentage of it is my own personality. I just have a very special way of dealing with adversity.” treatment, but I was glad I was able to be of some help to her,” Caminiti says. “I think I felt a bit helpless because I couldn’t do more than just give her a little comfort.” The chemotherapy was followed by five weeks of radiation. Incredibly, Reyes maintained a full-time work (Judie Ann Photography) schedule, despite being sapped from all of the draining treatments. “Evelyn is one of the most amazing people I know,” Caminiti says. “She is strong, self-confident, tough and loving. I know that I wouldn’t have the inner courage to handle this type of illness so stoically. She has amazing drive to beat the cancer and to not let it interfere with her life. I feel very fortunate to have her as a friend.” That type of support has tangible medical benefits. “It is of interest that younger patients tend to present with more advanced disease, but sometimes seem to do better than older patients,” Dr. Soybel says. “Maybe it has something to do with their own resilience, their will or the energy in the human network around them. [Evelyn] has a number of strong women in her family — they were not giving her up without a fight.” Since the initial surgery in 2004, Reyes has had three subsequent surgeries, one to reverse the colostomy in 2005 and the other two in 2006 and 2008 for

reoccurrences of the cancer. Though she has been cancer free since 2008, she knows that the disease can return. She undergoes regular CT scans every four months and a colonoscopy every year. In the meanwhile, Reyes is living her life the way she wants and is helping others through the American Cancer Society and the Colon Club, a New York-based nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about the disease. Last year, the Colon Club selected Reyes as its Miss October. In the calendar, each of the models was diagnosed before the age of 50 and each of them are proudly showing off their surgical scars. Reyes says she had never met other colon cancer survivors until participating in the photography sessions. But after sharing intimate stories, Reyes says they became like family. “I want to stay in touch with them because I feel like they’re extended siblings,” she says. Reyes tells women in simple, clear language that they should not think that cancer can’t happen to them. She also urges women to listen to their bodies and investigate their family histories. “You have to be your own advocate,” she says, “and find out what the hell is going on.”=

Seasons

poem abou t the canc er patient’s

)

emotions

Spring the new, littl e hairs on m y head resemble th e fresh blad es of grass the start of at a new spring my hips and breast fill ou t like a when a girl becom es a woman I even get m y period back I feel spring in me Summer long, sunny, carefree days with no wor the hot sand ries under my fe et as I stroll along in my red string bi with my scar kini blazing in th e sun my confidenc e is shining like a sunray cancer defeat ed

Fall as softly as the leaves fa ll from the peace is upo trees n me my smile is easy and my love is hitting ever yone like a laser beam cancer retrea ted Winter short, dark, cold days slipping and sliding in the snow unsure wher e to step ne xt looking for something or someone to so I don’t fa hold onto ll my steps ar e slow and de liberate and made wit h much thou ght and trep will it come idation back? cancer .

— Evelyn Rey es

Health Matters Neighborhood Health Plan Sponsored Article

Confronting Health Care

Disparities Head-On

he term “health disparity” is not one we typically see or use in our everyday lives, but it is a term and concept that can have a profound effect on how we, as women, are able to ensure quality care and support for ourselves and our families. “Health disparities” are differences in the quality of health care that are not due to clinical needs or patient preferences.1 It identifies a gap that exists in the quality of health and health care across racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and socio-economic groups.2 In the United States, health disparities are well documented in minority populations such as African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Latinos.3 Research shows these populations have higher incidence of chronic diseases, higher mortality and poorer health outcomes. As women, we are often the driving force behind ensuring health care for our families. As a driver, you may experience disparities first hand. Examples of racial and ethnic health disparities have been demonstrated in receiving flu vaccinations, treatment of chest pain, referral to cardiac specialist care, lung cancer surgery, renal transplantation, treatment of HIV/AIDS and pain management, to name a few. As a national leader in health care disparity research among health plans, Boston-based Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP), a not-for-profit HMO serving more than 220,000 MassHealth and Commercial members, we see first-hand how health 18

Exhale • Winter 2011

By Pam Siren, Vice President Quality & Compliance at Neighborhood Health Plan care disparities affect those who are economically disadvantaged and/or physically disabled — specifically with regard to the preventive care services many minority women do not receive. Serving a largely urban-based membership, we set about addressing health care disparities by reviewing the diverse make-up of our membership, providing us with the groundwork for understanding the composition of the population we serve: the majority being women of racial and ethnic minorities. Through our research we discovered inequities where preventive measures and screenings in health care were not received. We then began

developing strategies to address these gaps in care — not only for our membership, but to also positively influence the communities where our members live in Massachusetts. This is accomplished through partnerships we have with Community Health Centers throughout the state, as well as through integrated communications outreach into communities where we know there is a higher instance or likelihood of such gaps existing. For example, in 2009, we identified two distinct opportunities where we can make a difference: We discovered that Latino members were not receiving the needed care to properly manage their diabetes, and we discovered black and African American women were not receiving annual mammograms in a timely manner. Both of these scenarios can lead to poorer health outcomes, up to and including early death. So what can be done to turn these health disparities into health equities? What role do you play for yourself and your family? How can you work with your health care provider to help ensure health equity? To learn more, visit www.exhalelifestyle.com/ HealthMatters. 1. Institute of Medicine (2003). 2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 3. Goldberg, J., Hayes, W., and Huntley, J. “Understanding Health Disparities.” Health Policy Institute of Ohio (November 2004).

exhalelifestyle.com

Health Matters Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Sponsored Article

Patients and families help

Create a Place of Healing By Christine Cleary

Marlene Nusbaum, a patient advisor (left), and Amy Porter-Tacoronte, M.B.A., vice president of Operations and Ambulatory Practice Management, worked together to plan patient flow inside DanaFarber’s Yawkey Center for Cancer Care. (Photos courtesy of DanaFarber Cancer Institute)

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undreds of steel beams make up the new Yawkey Center for Cancer Care at Dana-Farber. Look closely at some of them and you’ll see the names of patients spray-painted in bright colors by iron workers during the building’s construction. These beams make up the frame of the building, but since those early days of the project, patients and families have lent far more than names to the facility. Their guidance underpins almost every aspect of the Yawkey Center. From healing gardens to artwork, from layout of exam rooms to plans for parking, the imprint from these key constituents is felt throughout the 14-story, state-of-the-art building and across the Institute. “The Yawkey Center is a fine balance of medical excellence, beauty, and healing,” says Marlene Nusbaum, a patient advisor. “I don’t think of it as a building, but as a space for us to become the best we can be.” This type of input is standard practice at Dana-Farber, where since 1998 Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) have advised staff on nearly every important matter concerning patient care. “I don’t think there is another institution in the world more committed to patient- and family-centered care than DanaFarber, and the Yawkey Center planning process was just another example of that,” says Craig Bunnell, M.D., M.P.H., associate chief medical officer and one of the project leaders for the new center. The formal involvement of patients and families began in 2006 when leaders convened a group called “2020,” with the goal of designing a facility that would

deliver the best possible cancer care, now and in the future. Patients and families attended design meetings and joined staff members from Dana-Farber and the architectural firm ZGF in planning the Yawkey Center on site visits to cancer centers nationwide. “Despite working with patients for more than 30 years and considering myself ‘patient-and-family focused,’ I am continually reminded that patients and families may have a vision that I missed,” says Chief Medical Officer Lawrence Shulman, M.D. “Their involvement in planning for the Yawkey Center plays out this way: Just when we think a certain process or facility design will best meet the needs of patients and families, they show us why another plan may be better. This collaborative work is one of the reasons Dana-Farber is unique in its approach to care planning.” Janet Porter, Ph.D., chief operating officer, recalls wrapping up one planning retreat when a patient, Mary Dana Gershanoff, raised her hand. “She said, ‘We’ve spent all this time talking about making the building patient-friendly, but what about stafffriendly? We come here because of the staff, and we want this to also be a great place for them,’ ” remembers Porter. “We went back and redesigned the floors to make sure there were enough conference rooms and workrooms.”

Benefiting from nature and art

It’s one of the ironies of life: Just when we most need the restorative properties of nature — the scent of pine needles, the feel of soft ground beneath our feet — we often find ourselves in synthetic places. This is generally true when we are sick, and no one knows it better than the patients and families who advocated that the Yawkey Center tap into the healing power of nature. Lessons came from a healing environment committee that began meeting in 2005 under the guidance of consultant Jeanine Young-Mason, Ed.D., R.N., Distinguished Professor Emerita in the School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a noted expert on the subject. “In the past, health care buildings were generally stark and unpleasant, but the push today is to make them as restorative as possible,” she says. “These spaces must feel physically and psychologically safe and be aesthetically pleasing to all the senses.” Nature generally isn’t square and lined up neatly, points out Young-Mason, a sentiment Porter recalls a researcher echoing when she saw early architectural renderings of clinical floors. “Everything is so pointy!” the researcher exclaimed. With this in mind, the Yawkey Center’s reception desks were redesigned to be curved, its lobby furniture is set in a circle and the atrium has been given rounded features. The building is also infused with abundant natural light and calm colors. One of the most significant outcomes of the healing environment discussions is the Thea and James Stoneman Healing Garden, a two-story indoor sanctuary in the new building that features natural stone walls, seasonal flowers and a canopy of greenery. Overlooking the garden is the Richard P. and Claire W. Morse Conservatory, which offers a plant-free environment to protect patients with allergies or other health concerns. The garden’s purpose, says Maureen Costello, a patient advisor, is to “create an area of quiet respite in a natural environment for patients, families and staff to reflect and heal amid nature’s beauty.” Patients pushed for the garden and planned its design from start to finish. Art can also soothe the soul and help the body to heal, Young-Mason points out. Patients and families helped select more than 300 works of art for the Yawkey Center, representing a variety of media and styles, including sculpture, glass, prints, textiles and photographs. The centerpiece for the atrium lobby is a “mandala” designed by Newton, Mass., artist Ralph Helmick. The circular giant mobile hangs from the ceiling and features hand-cut metal images that symbolize various themes, such as research and world cultures. Artwork will be visible in common areas as well as in exam and infusion rooms, with some pieces

funded by individual gifts and others by the allvolunteer Friends of Dana-Farber organization.

Enhancing patient experiences

PFAC members also served on work teams that tackled key operational issues for the new building, from pharmacy to scheduling. “We looked at the patient experience from the moment the patient walks in the door or drives into a parking area,” says Nusbaum, a PFAC member who co-chairs (with Porter) the Patient Experience Committee. “How will they get from parking to their floor? Where will they have their blood drawn? What will the signs say?” During planning for the spaces where check-ups and chemotherapy infusions take place, patients and families asked that the two areas be on the same floor whenever possible. “In general, once patients get to their floor, they can see their doctor and go across the hall for infusion without needing to check in and out on different floors,” says Nusbaum. Patients also recommended that infusion spaces have the best views, because these sessions can be quite lengthy, but they felt no windows were needed in exam rooms, where an outside scene could be distracting during a patient-clinician meeting. They also advised on the layout of exam rooms; instead of seeing an exam table and clinical equipment right away, an entrant’s first impression will be calm colors, a desk, comfortable chairs and artwork. “Who knows better the intricate workings of a patient’s day than the patient?” asks Bunnell. “As physicians, we know how we function in our individual areas, but the patients know how those areas connect to the whole experience. Having them participate in planning from beginning to end has been critical to our understanding of how things work now, and how they can be better.” In addition to the beams adorned with patients’ names, another of the building’s most symbolic features is a series of etched glass panels between the handrail and the ramp running from the atrium to the second floor. The panels will display illustrations of relevant chemical compounds, such as taxol and vincristine, images of flowers, and meaningful words suggested by patients and families. When new patients enter and are greeted by those words — “hope,” “inspiration,” “compassion” — then the chief advisors for the Yawkey Center will have left their most important mark. This story originally ran in the Fall/Winter 2010 edition of Paths of Progress, a magazine covering research advances and clinical care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.=

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Health Matters Weight Loss

Funny girl

gets serious about weight loss

have always been kind of a runt. At least that’s what the other kids would say growing up. In kindergarten, a bigger girl on the playground would carry me around like a baby on her hip. She was much taller than the other kids, and I was much shorter. I guess it made sense for us to join forces. Eventually, the other children began to tease me (and her

Exhale • Winter 2011

for that matter), so she put me down, literally. I always remember being shorter than the other girls. Around fifth grade, I became curvier than the other girls — full hips, a filled out chest and a tiny waist. The teasing was relentless, so I quickly developed an equally quick wit. This is when I became the funny girl first and the chubby girl second.

’ll admit that for more than half of the first part of my life, I thought that the two were one and the same. My height never reached over five feet tall. Most of the time, I forgot that I was short. My parents always encouraged me to be me and my big personality overshadowed the fact that I couldn’t reach things in the grocery store. I slowly learned the art of timing and I could read people. Knowing my audience was a skill I developed on a daily basis. In my mid-20s I started performing stand up and found that there was power in making people laugh. It was just as fun for me as it was for the audience. I was always the butt of the joke and audiences across the country ate it up. I was still making fun of myself before anyone else could do it, only now I was getting paid for it. As I got better, my weight increased. I was cute as a button, but very unhealthy. I became a character. I felt like a cartoon version of myself. I had a good life, but I was going down a bad path with my health. Working night and day, I was losing sight of who I was and what I wanted out of my life. I really only felt comfortable and in control on stage. In 2004, I auditioned for a reality show about weight loss. The show was presented to me as a weight loss journey complete with a trainer and a personal chef that would last 10 weeks. I couldn’t imagine that anyone would want to watch overweight people lose weight on television. How boring! Losing weight was a slow process. Watching one to two pounds come off on a weekly basis would be as uneventful as watching paint dry. When the offer came through to be on this new show, I took it. The way I understood it, this show hadn’t even been picked up by a network. It won’t even make it on the air. I’ll

take 10 weeks to lose a few pounds and get back into exercise. I’ll come back and get back to the stage on a healthy path. That little show was called “The Biggest Loser” and millions of people tuned in to watch the contestants cry as they learned to love themselves again. The weight loss was exciting because we weren’t taking off one to two pounds a week. We were losing 10, 15 and sometimes more per episode! When I look back on it now, my 42-pound weight loss in 10 weeks was exciting. I was amazed at myself. For the first time in a long time, I had dedication and devotion to myself. I honestly thought that I was going to have a heart attack on the ranch and not return home, but it didn’t happen. I didn’t die. No one did. After a week, I started to forget the cameras and focus on how strong I was. I admit that I didn’t really tackle my food issues on an emotional level while on the show, but I did learn to trust my body and my will to succeed. I had always been a driven person, but there was a place deep down that I had never tapped into before. This was the key to happiness and self-acceptance. Since being on the show, I’m managing to stay dedicated to my workout routine, putting good food in my body every day and feeling strong is always my main goal. My weight creeps up every so often, but I just dig deep and remind myself of the woman I want to be. She’s not a size four. She’s not concerned with the numbers on the scale. She’s a strong healthy woman who feels centered and confident. I’m thankful each morning for a new day. I’m glad that I’m ballsy. I’m spunky and filled with gumption. I welcome new challenges even if they’re scary. Right after the show I participated in my first triathlon. Amazing! What a great chance to completely humiliate myself. I had never done anything like that before and I vowed that I would find the fun in this half-mile swim, 12mile bike and three plus mile run. If I could find the fun in this and manage to help others find their fun, then I just might be onto something. While training for this triathlon, I had to learn how to ride a bike all over again. I spent many nights falling on my sweet little street. I’m confident that the neighbors must have thought I was crazy. I had a new bump, bruise and scrape every week and I loved every minute of it. The best part was that I didn’t care. These were my battle scars. The bumps and bruises and scrapes were physical evidence that I was trying — trying for the first time in my life. I had never really tried to get healthy or out of my comfort zone before. This was a decision to get uncomfortable and embrace how that felt. I vowed that I would spend my adult life getting uncomfortable and this is how I live every day. Now, I’m not waking up every day looking for something new to give me poop cramps. I just never turn my back on an opportunity to amaze myself. For the last 10 years, I’ve been traveling the country (and the world) as a comedian. For the last five years, I’ve also been working as a humor wellness speaker. I spread the word that everyone has the ability to dig deep. I share my hilarious stories of self-discovery and my undying search for opportunities to surprise myself. It feels great to have someone be proud of you. I have the most supportive friends and family. I have parents who have always loved me for who I am and felt incredibly proud of the woman I have grown into. But, I have to say nothing feels better than that sense of pride I feel when I finish something I didn’t think I could do. I always stop for a few minutes and enjoy the moment with my biggest supporter, myself. Whether it’s after a big show, a keynote in front of a room full of people or a 5K race, I take a moment to breathe and enjoy the moment. When you take the time to appreciate yourself, others will appreciate you too. Learning to laugh at yourself helps too. I never take myself too seriously. You get one life, and I’d rather get laugh lines than that number 11 smack dab in the middle of my pretty blue eyes. I feel lucky that I can embrace the woman I am and I enjoy helping others embrace themselves with laughter. I feel truly blessed that by putting myself out there, other women can find their strong, confident, inner funny girl. = exhalelifestyle.com

Health Matters Healthy Diet

s a registered dietitian at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), Stacy Kennedy has heard it all before. She knows most people are busy. She knows processed foods are convenient and cheaper. But she also knows that a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables can help prevent cancer and ultimately, save lives. “Eating certain foods may decrease the risk of cancer or the aggressiveness of a current cancer,” Kennedy says. When it comes to fighting cancer, lifestyles matter. Just ask the Washington, D.C.-based American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). The Institute contends that eating a plant-based diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes can help ward off many cancers. Add exercise and weight control to the mix and one third of all cancers each year in this country could be avoided, according to the AICR. Dr. Christopher Lathan, an oncologist at DFCI agrees. “There are certain lifestyle choices we can make to benefit us,” he says. “But you can still do those things and get cancer.” He stresses, however, that when a person follows a healthy lifestyle, “the odds are in your favor.” Though shrouded in many misperceptions, the science on cancer has become clearer over the years. First of all, it is not one disease. The cancer detected in the prostate is completely different from the cancer detected in the colon. As a matter of fact, there are more than 100 different cancers; breast cancer alone has more than seven. Put simply, cancer is an unnecessary proliferation of cells, the body’s basic unit of life. Normally, cells grow and divide in an orderly fashion to keep the body sound. Even a scratch or cut sets this process into motion to

replace the damaged goods. Cells also grow old and die. But every now and then problems arise. New cells form when the body does not need them or old cells refuse to go when their time is up. These extra cells form tumors. Some of them are benign, which means they can grow but do not spread to other parts of the body. Once removed, they seldom come back. A malignant tumor, on the other hand, is cancerous. These cells grow out of control, and invade and destroy tissues around them. What’s worse, they can break off, travel through the bloodstream and wreak havoc on other parts of the body.

Research has found that the trick to healthy eating is variety — no single antioxidant can achieve optimal protection of health. The American Institute for Cancer Research suggests meals made up of at least two-thirds vegetables, fruits, whole grains or beans and one third or less animal protein. Plantbased foods contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals — naturally occurring health protective substances. Dietitians recommend at least five servings a day of different colors of fruits and vegetables. The foods shown — including some seasonings (oregano, cinnamon, ginger) and teas — contain antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of many cancers. While overweight, obesity and lack of exercise are highly correlated to several types of cancers, including postmenopausal breast, endometrial (uterine) and colon cancer, the importance of healthy eating cannot be overlooked. Certain foods are protective for overall good health. The reason for this protection is a bit radical — literally. There is a constant process of building, dismantling and re-building of molecules to help the body function properly. Sometimes the process goes awry and results in an unstable molecule — or This story originally ran in Be Healthy April 2010.

Exhale • Winter 2011

free radical — that hunts around for an acceptable partner to bond. The problem is that the free radical can do its share of damage during the search, most notably to the DNA, the body’s blueprint. A damaged DNA can result in a mutation, which can in turn result in cancer. But all’s not lost. The body has a defense system to stabilize the free radicals. A cadre of organisms called antioxidants devours the free radicals. There’s a hitch, though. The body cannot make the antioxidants — it has to rely on the food absorbed in the body. That’s where plant foods come in. These antioxidants — commonly referred to as phytochemicals or phytonutrients — are found in fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and even certain herbs. That’s why eating a plant-based diet has been found to reduce the risk of many types of cancer. There are thousands of phytonutrients, but only a handful has been identified. Although it’s not clear exactly which component in the phytonutrients deters cancer, it is clear that the antioxidants not only reduce the risk of cancer, they minimize its impact. In one study, researchers found that apple extract slowed the rate of reproduction of human colon cancer and liver cancer cells. The good news is that there is not a particular diet of plant foods a person must eat each day. The Produce for Better Health Foundation puts it simply. If a person eats at least one cup of blue/purple, green, white, yellow/orange and red each day, you’re making your recommended quota.

Health-protecting phytonutrients are “color-coded.” For instance, lycopene — that gives tomatoes and watermelon their red color — is known to combat prostate cancer, and dark green leafy vegetables, like collards and lettuce may protect against breast, stomach or oral cancers. The cruciferous family, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts, has been found to stem the growth of many tumors and help the liver rid the body of toxic substances. Kennedy sums it up. “Variety is key,” she says.=

nd Tom Sade. art)

New School Goi Cuom (Vietnamese Spring Rolls)

By Any Greens Necessary

This recipe comes from my friend of thirty years, Sojin Kim, who says: “My coworkers and I used to share vegan potluck lunches on a monthly, sometimes weekly, basis. Most of us weren’t vegetarians, let alone vegans, but we always looked forward to these opportunities to share time over healthy food. This dish was one of our favorites. It is adapted from the Vietnamese cold spring rolls, goi cuom. The recipe here is described as an appetizer, but we used to treat the dish as a complete meal. Each person brought a different ingredient — carrots, bean sprouts, rice noodles, cilantro, mint — and we would compile as many as we pleased. The ingredient list here includes some of my favorite fillings — but the possibilities are unlimited and could also include jalapeño peppers, shiitake mushrooms, etc.” (Note: Spring roll wrappers can be found at most Asian markets — including Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese. They may also be available at specialty stores or bigger chain health food establishments.)

A Revolutionary Guide for Black Women Who Want to Eat Great, Get Healthy, Lose Weight, and Look Phat.

By Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil

Tracye McQuirter, M.P.H.

or Tracye McQuirter, M.P.H., vegan is the healthiest, and most delicious, way to eat. The Washington, D.C.-based nutritionist and author of the new book, “By Any Greens Necessary: A Revolutionary Guide for Black Women Who Want to Eat Great, Get Healthy, Lose Weight, and Look Phat,” explains that eating a plant-based diet can prevent and reverse heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some types of cancer, according to four decades of nutrition research. But “consumers are not getting this information that vegan food is the healthiest to eat,” McQuirter contends. And this misinformation is not accidental, but “by design.” The powerful meat and dairy industries have convinced Americans that protein and calcium can only come from their products, she explains, while a balance of lentils, beans, vegetables and grains can easily supply enough protein and calcium to meet the Institute of Medicine’s recommended daily allowances. In addition, McQuirter says that the U.S. Department of Agriculture plays the dual role of nutrition adviser to citizens and publicist for the food industry — a glaring conflict of interest that has led consumers astray. McQuirter works hard to get out the vegan message over the din of industry propaganda. The health and vegan activist teaches public school students and low-income residents about nutrition, pushes for food policy reforms, and founded black vegetarian organizations for the estimated 1.5 million African American vegetarians. “I want to help people make informed decisions,” she says. “If I hadn’t learned about veganism, I would be at risk for chronic diseases. [So] I have an obligation to share this information.” But she is sure to stress that eating healthfully — and eating vegan — is also delicious. “I love good food, I love to eat,” McQuirter says. “I don’t come from this from the point of view that you have to deprive yourself of anything.” While McQuirter is not a formally trained chef, she says that cooking and sharing recipes is a “strong part of my family tradition.” The recipes featured here from her book are some of her favorites, “a potluck on paper,” and represent what she eats every day. For novice cooks, McQuirter recommends getting in the kitchen with friends and learning together — “just have fun doing it.”

Exhale • Winter 2011

Makes 8 large spring rolls ½ cup bean sprouts 1 large cucumber, peeled and julienned 2 large carrots, julienned 2 or 3 scallions, julienned ½ cup chopped fresh mint ½ cup chopped fresh basil ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro ½ pound extra-firm tofu 2 tablespoons sesame oil 1 tablespoon soy sauce ½ cup rice or vermicelli noodles Eight 8-inch spring roll wrappers Dipping sauce (such as nama shoyu) 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts Chili paste, chili oil, or chili flakes, to taste Arrange the bean sprouts, cucumber, carrot, scallion, mint, basil, and cilantro into different piles or bowls. Cut the tofu into long, thin slices, around ¼-inch thick and 2 inches long. Heat the sesame oil in a skillet or wok and add the tofu slices. Drizzle the soy sauce on top. Cook until their surface browns and toughens slightly. Cook the rice or noodles according to package directions. Wet the spring roll wrappers in a large bowl of water. Make sure the entire dry disk can fit into the bowl. I usually wet two or three at a time. If they stick together, you can carefully pull them apart. You only need to wet them for 30 to 40 seconds — until they soften. Remove from water and let some of the excess water drip off. They will be sticky now, so handle with care. Place one wrapper at a time out on a large plate or flat surface. In the center of the wrapper, in a long pile, add a few slices of tofu, a small amount of rice or noodles, bean sprouts, julienned vegetables, cilantro, basil, and mint. Do not put too much onto each wrapper. It will be harder to wrap and eat. Wrapping the rolls can be done in different ways according to preference. Some people just roll them and leave the ends open. You can also flip the short ends over the sides of the long pile of vegetables and noodles, then roll over one long side of the wrap and then the other. This is really not hard to do, but it might take a few tries to get the technique and tightness of the roll just right. The stickiness of the wrapper makes the roll

Luscious Lasagna

This light and flavorful lasagna makes an elegant presentation. Serve with Garlic and Basil Olive Bread with Heirloom Tomatoes for a memorable meal. Makes 8 to 10 servings 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 medium red onion, chopped 5 or 6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 1 pound button mushrooms, chopped 1 pound extra-firm tofu 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped 3 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast ½ teaspoon dried oregano Cayenne pepper, to taste One 1-pound package brown rice lasagna noodles One 16-ounce jar of your favorite vegan tomato-based pasta sauce 1 bunch fresh spinach, chopped 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad I like serving this dish while the chickpeas are still warm. It’s a very satisfying dish—you don’t need to eat a lot to feel full. Makes 4 servings 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight, drained, and rinsed 3 or 4 cups water 1 small red onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped ½ teaspoon curry powder 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped 5 leaves fresh basil, chopped 1 tablespoon Grapeseed Oil Vegenaise (egg- and dairy-free mayonnaise) 2 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and chopped

Place the chickpeas and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 to 3 hours until soft. Drain and transfer the chickpeas to a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir gently. Cover and let the ingredients marinate for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm.

hold together easily. Mix the dipping sauce with the chopped peanuts. If you like things spicy, you can add the additional chili paste, flakes, or oil.

Spicy Black Beans

I knew I was onto something when my brother-in-law, who’s an awesome cook, asked me for a pot of these beans. They taste great in tacos and burritos, too. Makes 4 servings 1 cup dry black beans, soaked overnight, drained, and rinsed 3 cups water 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ½ red onion, chopped coarse 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 2 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos Cayenne pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons hot salsa 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks 5 cherry tomatoes, halved 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast Place the beans in a large pot with 3 cups water and bring to a rapid boil. Turn down heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours. In the meantime, heat the olive oil in a skillet. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent and set aside. When beans are

soft, pour out most of the water (save for stock). Stir in the sautéed onion and garlic and remaining ingredients except avocado and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes. Add the avocado chunks before serving.

Afro-Indian Chana Masala

David Banks and I share a love of Indian food. Here’s his version of traditional chana masala. Makes 4 servings 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 tablespoon curry powder 1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped 3 tablespoons tomato paste ½ cup water 1½ cups chickpeas, soaked for 6 hours or overnight, drained, and rinsed 1 tablespoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper

Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the onion and cook until brown. Add the curry powder, garlic, and tomato paste and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the water, chickpeas, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until chickpeas are soft, at least 1 hour. Serve over brown rice.

Preheat oven to 350° F. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a skillet. Add the onion, garlic, and mushrooms, and sauté until soft. Drain. Squeeze the excess water out of the tofu by pressing it in a towel. In a large bowl, crumble the tofu with a fork and stir in the sautéed vegetables, olives, liquid aminos, nutritional yeast, oregano, cayenne, and 2 tablespoons of the remaining olive oil. Adjust seasonings to make this as spicy as you can. Set aside to marinate. In the meantime, cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Spread the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the bottom of a large casserole dish, then cover the oil with a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. Spread half the tofu mixture over the noodles. Next, add a layer of spinach to cover the tofu mixture, then add half the basil leaves on top of the spinach. Add another layer of noodles, then layer with the sauce, then the remaining tofu mixture, then spinach, then basil leaves. Cover with a final layer of noodles and sauce. Bake for 45 minutes.

Broccoli Ginger Cashew Stir-Fry

This stir-fry is perfect served over brown rice or noodles. The key to this dish is not to overcook the broccoli. I prefer mine slightly wilted but still crisp and bright green. Makes 4 servings 3 tablespoons sesame oil 1 medium red onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped 1 head broccoli, chopped (florets only) ¼ cup cashew pieces 1 tablespoon Bragg Liquid Aminos Dash cayenne 1 tablespoon Thai curry paste (optional) Heat the sesame oil in a skillet or wok. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, and red pepper and sauté until soft. Remove these vegetables from the oil and set aside. Using the same oil, turn up the heat and add the broccoli to the hot oil. Stir-fry for about 10 minutes. Reduce heat, add the vegetables back in, and add remaining ingredients. Stir and let sit covered on low heat for another 5 minutes. Serve over brown rice or whole-grain pasta.

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Delectable Healthy Recipes: By Any Greens Necessary

Strawberry Cheesecake

“

I want to help people make informed decisions.

You’ll love this dessert, and your friends and family will give you hugs for making it! The cashews and lime juice give it the cheesecake taste. Makes 10 to 12 servings

If I hadn’t learned about veganism, I would be at risk for chronic diseases. [So] I have an obligation to share this information.

For the crust 1 cup walnut halves 1 cup raw macadamia nuts ½ cup pitted medjool dates (7 or 8 dates) 1 or 2 tablespoons dried, unsweetened coconut flakes

”

For the filling 3 cups chopped cashews, soaked in water for 1 hour and drained ½ cup coconut water or plain water ¾ cup extra virgin coconut oil Fresh juice of 6 or 7 limes (¾ cup) ¾ cup raw agave nectar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Mousse Tart

For the topping 1 quart fresh strawberries, frozen, or one 10-ounce package frozen strawberries ¼ cup pitted medjool dates (3 or 4 dates) To make the crust, place the nuts and dates in a food processor fitted with the S blade and process until a well-mixed dough is formed. Press the dough into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pie pan. Sprinkle the coconut flakes on top of the dough. There will be enough extra dough and filling to make about 6 mini tartlets (which make a nice little surprise gift) or you can just use it all to make a really thick cheesecake. To make the filling, place the cashews, water, oil, lime juice, agave nectar, and vanilla in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy, with no cashew fragments visible. Pour this mixture into the crust. Place the pie in the freezer and freeze until firm, about 2 hours. To make the topping, place the strawberries and dates in a food processor using the S blade and process until smooth. Spread this mixture over the frozen pie filling. Put the pie back in the freezer and freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. To serve, let the pie thaw slightly on a kitchen counter for 10 to 15 minutes, until a knife can slice through it easily.

Exhale • Winter 2011

So divine! This takes me back to my chocolate pudding feasts in junior high school.

Classic Cornbread

I love cornbread and thankfully can whip it up anytime with this simple recipe. Makes 6 to 8 servings 1 cup organic cornmeal (avoid genetically modified corn) 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour 1 tablespoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon sea salt ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons raw agave nectar 1 cup water Preheat oven to 350° F. In a bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together the olive oil and agave nectar. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and stir until well combined. Pour into an oiled 9inch round or square baking pan. Bake for half an hour or until the top center is firm.

Makes 4 to 6 servings For the crust 1 cup pecans 1 cup raw macadamia nuts ½ cup pitted medjool dates (7 or 8 dates) 1 or 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut For the filling ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 ripe avocados, peeled and seeded ½ cup raw agave nectar, or to taste ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup coconut water or plain water (use more or less water for desired thickness) To make the crust, place the nuts and dates in a food processor using the S blade and process until a well-mixed dough is created. Press the dough into the bottoms of four to six 4-inch tartlet pans. Sprinkle the coconut on top of the dough. For the filling, place all ingredients in a blender and mix well. Scoop the filling into the pans, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.

American Heart Association Recipes

Healthy Recipes from American He art Association

Sweet and Nutty Stir-Fry

Serves 4; 1 ½ cups per serving

When you crave takeout but don’t want to load up on saturated fat and sodium, try this quick and crunchy meatless meal-in-one.

4 ounces dried multigrain vermicelli or spaghetti, broken in half 2 teaspoons curry powder

Sauce 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons soy sauce (lowest sodium available) 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon cornstarch ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes ⅓ cup fresh orange juice 2 teaspoons grated orange zest

1 teaspoon canola or corn oil ½ cup thinly sliced onion 2 cups bite-size broccoli florets (about 5 ounces) 1 cup thinly sliced (not shredded) red cabb age 1 cup matchstick-size carrot pieces ½ cup unsalted peanuts, dry-roasted

Prepare the pasta using the package direct ions, omitting the salt and oil and adding the curry powder. Drain well in a colander. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the sauce ingredients except the orange zest, stirring until the corns tarch is completely dissolved. Bring to a boil over medium-hig h heat and boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Stir in the orange zest. Set aside. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the onion for 1 minute. Stir in the broccoli, cabbage, and carrots. Cook for 4 minu tes, or until just tendercrisp, stirring frequently.

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American Heart Association Recipes

Salmon and Corn Chowder Makes ten 1-cup servings

Note: Here’s a tasty way to get those omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. 1 cup brown rice 8 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken stock 1 tablespoon ginger purée 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup diced onion 1 cup diced carrots 1 cup diced celery 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 bay leaf 2 tablespoons curry powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar 3 cups (one pound) sweet corn (thawed, if using frozen) ¼ cup flour 1 pound salmon, cut into one-inch cubes ½ cup chopped cilantro ½ cup chopped scallions, green and white parts Place the rice, stock, and ginger purée in a large saucepan and set over high heat. Boil until the rice is cooked through, about 40 minutes. Remove from stove and set aside. In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, bring the olive oil to the smoking point. Add the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, turmeric, thyme, bay leaf, curry, salt, sugar, and corn to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in the flour to coat the vegetables. Add the cooked rice and stock to the soup and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Add the salmon and remove the pot from the stove. Let the soup rest for 5-10 minutes to cook the salmon through. Stir in the chopped cilantro and serve immediately. Garnish with chopped scallions, if desired.

Red and Green Bell Pepper Boats Serves 8; 3 pieces per serving

Flavorful toasted almonds and zesty lemon-pepper contrast nicely with crisp bell pepper pieces in this festive appetizer. 1 medium green bell pepper 1 medium red bell pepper ¼ cup sliced almonds 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened 1 teaspoon salt-free lemon pepper seasoning blend 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Cut each bell pepper in half lengthwise; discard the stems, ribs, and seeds. Cut each half into six

Exhale • Winter 2011

pieces. Arrange the pieces with the skin side down on a decorative serving platter. Set aside. In a medium skillet, dry-roast the almonds over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Transfer 1 tablespoon of the almonds to a small plate and reserve for garnishing. Process the remaining almonds in a food processor or blender for 15 to 20 seconds, or until finely ground. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, lemon pepper seasoning blend, and lemon juice with an electric mixer for 1 to 2 minutes, or until creamy. Add the ground almonds and beat for 10 seconds, or until combined. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a wide star or round tip. Or snip the corner off a resealable plastic bag (a plastic freezer bag works well) and spoon in the mixture. Pipe about 1 teaspoon of the mixture onto each bell pepper piece. Garnish with the sliced almonds.

Chicken Pot Pie Serves 8

Note: This filling for the pie can be made a day or so in advance. Feel free to put an egg wash (one egg whisked with a tablespoon of water) on the finished pastry before baking if you prefer a sheen on your crust. This version of pot-pie is loaded with vegetables, gets rid of the cream or milk usually called for in other recipes, and the crust is trans-fat-free.

For the chicken: 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 cloves crushed garlic 1 tablespoon picked thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon turmeric 2 teaspoons salt-free all-purpose seasoning 1 teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon salt 2 cups frozen pearl onions, thawed 1 cup carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 cup celery, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced ½-inch thick 1 cup crimini or button mushrooms, quartered 4 tablespoons flour ¼ cup Pernod (optional) 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 2” cubes 1 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed ½ cup chopped parsley For the crust: 1 ⅓ cups flour ½ teaspoon salt (optional) ½ cup trans fat free margarine spread 3 tablespoons ice water

Prepare the chicken. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil until hot. Stir in the garlic, thyme, oregano, tarragon, bay leaf, turmeric, salt-free all-purpose seasoning, pepper, salt and sauté for one minute. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms and sauté for two minutes. Stir in the flour and coat the vegetables well. Add the Pernod, if using, and chicken stock and stir to blend well. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer. Stir in the chicken and simmer for five minutes. Stir in the peas and parsley. Remove from heat and pour the mixture into a 3-quart oval casserole dish. Cover loosely with foil and set aside.

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American Heart Association Recipes

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Exhale • Winter 2011

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American Heart Association Recipes

Berry-Topped Pudding Pie in Meringue-Nut Crust

Recipe courtesy of Alton Brown

Serves 8; 1 slice per serving Canola or corn oil for pie pan 2 large egg whites ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar ⅛ teaspoon salt ½ cup sugar ¾ cup walnuts or pecans, finely chopped 1 small package fat-free, sugar-free instant lemon or vanilla pudding mix, prepared with 2 cups cold fat-free milk 12 ounces fresh berries or other fruit, sliced if needed ½ cup fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed (optional)

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Pour a small amount of oil onto a paper towel and lightly wipe the bottom and side of an 8- or 9-inch pie pan. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites, vanilla, cream of tartar, and salt on medium speed until foamy. With the mixer still running, gradually add the sugar in a slow steady stream, until stiff peaks form. (The peaks shouldn’t fold over when the beater is lifted.) Very gently fold in ½ cup of the nuts. Using a flexible spatula or rubber scraper, spread the meringue over the bottom and up the side of the pie pan and onto the lip of the pan, but not over the edge of the pan. Sprinkle the bottom with the remaining nuts. Bake for 50 minutes, or until the meringue is firm and lightly browned. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely, at least 2 hours. Using the package directions, prepare the pudding. Spread over the cooled crust. Arrange the fruit decoratively over the pudding. Top with the whipped topping. Note: In warm weather, meringues will get gummy after a few days, so it’s best to serve this dessert within 24 hours.

This recipe is brought to you by the American Heart Association’s Face The Fats program. Recipe copyright © 2007 by the American Heart Association. Look for other delicious recipes in American Heart Association cookbooks, available from booksellers everywhere.

Nutrition Analysis (per serving) Calories Total Fat Saturated Fat Polyunsaturated Fat Monounsaturated Fat Trans Fat Cholesterol Sodium Carbohydrates Sugar Fiber Protein Dietary Exchanges: ½ fruit 1 other carbohydrate, 1 ½ fat

Exhale • Winter 2011

169 6.5 g 0.5 g 4.5 g 1.0 g 0.0 g 1 mg 223 mg 25 g 18 g 3g 5g

Devil's Food Cupcakes with Almond-Mocha Topping on Raspberry Sauce Serves 24; 1 cupcake, 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons sauce, and 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons topping per serving

Whether it’s a special occasion or you just want to make someone feel special, this decadent-looking dessert will bring smiles…and compliments!

Cooking spray

Cupcakes 1 18.25-ounce box devil’s food cake mix 1 2.5-ounce jar baby food pureed prunes 1 cup strong coffee, or 1 cup water plus 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules 3 large egg whites 2 tablespoons canola or corn oil

Pear and Cherry Crumble Note: This is a good way to “sneak” heart-healthy whole grains and nuts into the diet via an irresistible dessert. Make sure the pear or apple juice is natural and not made with high-fructose corn syrup.

Serves 8 For the fruit: Cooking spray Juice of one lemon 5-6 fresh pears, the riper the better 1 cup dried cherries Zest of one lemon ½ cup pear juice (may substitute apple juice) 2 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon flour For the topping: 1 cup organic vanilla granola 3 tablespoons flour ½ cup brown sugar ¼ cup sliced almonds ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground allspice ¼ cup trans fat free margarine spread

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside. Fill a large bowl halfway with cold water and the juice of one lemon. Cut the stems off the pears and peel them, placing each one in the acidulated water as you do so. Then, half, core and seed the pears and cut them into inch-thick lengthwise slices or chunks, returning each sliced pear to the lemon water until the job is completed. Drain the cut pears in a colander and return them to the mixing bowl. Add the cherries, lemon zest, pear or apple juice, honey, flavorings, spices, and one tablespoon of flour to the fruit and stir to mix everything well. Let the fruit macerate for fifteen minutes; then, place it in the prepared baking dish. Make the topping. Place the granola, flour, brown sugar, almonds, and spices in a large mixing bowl and toss them together lightly. Add the margarine spread and use your hands to work the spread into the dry ingredients until blended but crumbly. Spread the topping over the pears. Place the dish on the foil-lined baking sheet and bake the crumble for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the juices are bubbling and translucent. Serve warm.

Sauce 2 12-ounce packages frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed ½ cup sugar 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Topping 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules 2 teaspoons water 8 ounces frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed in refrigerator ⅔ cup sliced almonds, dry-roasted

Preheat the oven to 325°F, or as directed on the package. Lightly spray two 12-cup muffin pans with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cupcake ingredients. Follow the package directions for beating the batter and baking and cooling the cupcakes. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, Nutrition Analysis (per serving) Calories 173 Total Fat 4.0 g Saturated Fat 1.0 g Trans Fat 0.0 g Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0 g Monounsaturated Fat 2.0 g Cholesterol 0 mg

stir together the raspberries, sugar, and cornstarch until the cornstarch is dissolved. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 1 to 1 ½ minutes, or until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes. Stir in the vanilla. In a medium bowl, stir together the coffee granules and water until the coffee is dissolved. Fold in the whipped topping until well blended. Cover and refrigerate until needed. For each serving, spread 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons raspberry sauce on a dessert plate, top with a cupcake, spoon 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons whipped topping mixture over the cupcake, and sprinkle with about 1 ½ teaspoons almonds. Cook’s Tip: When shopping for cake mix, read the Nutrition Facts labels and choose a product with 0 grams of trans fat. You can refrigerate any leftovers from this recipe for up to 48 hours or freeze them for later use. Keep the cupcakes, the sauce, and the whipped topping in separate airtight containers. Sodium 198 mg Carbohydrates 31 g Sugar 18 g Fiber 2g Protein 2g Dietary Exchanges: 2 carbohydrate, 1 fat

This recipe is brought to you by the American Heart Association’s Face the Fats campaign. Recipe copyright © 2009 by the American Heart Association. Look for other delicious recipes in American Heart Association cookbooks, available from booksellers everywhere, and at deliciousdecisions.org.

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** Feature

Force of Swanee Hunt

positive nature The daughter of a Texas oil tycoon, Hunt has had a charmed life. But she’s never forgotten from whence she came.

By Brian Wright O’Connor

Swanee Hunt looks out onto her hay, horses and buffalo in Colorado. (Kit Williams photo)

Exhale • Winter 2011

wanee Hunt, often described as a “force of nature” for the passion she brings to battles for racial and gender equality, is a whirlwind with gracious manners. Greeting a guest at her rambling home outside Harvard Square, the philanthropist, activist and former diplomat betrays none of the pretenses associated with the high echelons of government and politics. Padding about in stocking feet, denims and a velvet vest over a verdigris turtleneck, the exambassador to Austria fixes up a cup of tea, laughing from the kitchen over her parrot Leopold’s piercing whistles echoing from the parlor. “Don’t mind him,” she says, coming back into the room and settling in front of a baronial fireplace, three logs warming the eclectically furnished room on a cold and rainy night. Ambassador Hunt fingers a ring slung from a simple gold chain around her neck. “Charles taught him that,” she says with a touch of melancholy. The whirlwind wears her heart upon her sleeve. Instruments strewn around the sitting room — guitars, a piano, a cello, violins, a harp and a stack of percussive devices — are reminders of her husband, Boston Landmarks Orchestra Founder Charles Ansbacher, who died of a brain tumor at age 67 last September. For just a moment, the diplomatic title, the Harvard appointments, the retinue and recognition that come with wealth and power matter less than the memories of the man who shared the adventure of seeking out the corners of the world where music and hope are in short supply. “He loved bringing music to people,” she says, her blue eyes widening. “It was Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Young People’s Concerts’ that drew him into music. His family bought a television set so that they could watch his show…” During a wide-ranging conversation punctuated by doorbells, parrot calls and the comings and goings of Ruthie the cat, it becomes clear that compassion drives the causes to which she’s dedicated her life. She shares openly and boldly — thereby inviting others to do the same and in so doing disarms defenses. ^p38

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** T

Feature: Force of positive nature he Dallas-born founder of the Center for Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government began making waves in the policy arena in her adopted city of Denver, where she drew upon the family oil fortune to launch the Hunt Alternatives Fund. The foundation has committed more than $130 million since 1981 to provoke social change locally, nationally and globally. Back in the 1970s, Marva Hammons was working in Colorado’s Department of Human Services on child welfare issues in Denver’s black community when she was invited to a meeting at Swanee’s ranch to explore how to fill gaps in services. “It was amazing to see her work, to hear her talk about her own background, her family and her Baptist upbringing,” says Hammons, who later joined Swanee’s board. “She was open and emotional and in spite of everyone’s reserve she made us open up about our own experiences, feelings, and hopes.” You can’t understand Swanee Hunt if you don’t understand the emotions underlying her reservoir of compassion. She knows loss and longing. She spent her early life not in the lap of luxury but in the shadows of fortune. Now serving as the Eleanor Roosevelt Lecturer in Public Policy at the Kennedy School, she points proudly to foundation programs to increase the number of women in high elective and appointed offices, fight modern-day slavery and support promising social movement leaders. In her 2006 memoir, “Half-Life of a Zealot,” the image of a woman born as the daughter of legendary oil tycoon H.L. Hunt crumbles beneath the hard

for Christ rally when she was 14, became a way out. First to Ft. Worth, where she earned a degree in philosophy at Texas Christian University. Then to Louisville, where Meeks finished seminary studies and Hunt, finding herself in a city where a Baptist could be politically liberal, spent a night out on the streets as part of an urban studies class. Kicked out of the bus station after midnight, she wandered about in the Kentucky night until finally collapsing at dawn on a traffic island. “While my world was widening,” she writes in her memoir, “my husband’s was narrowing.” A turbulent four years in Germany, where Weeks was pastor of an Englishspeaking Baptist church in Heidelberg, exposed further fault lines in the relationship. Hunt earned a master’s degree in counseling and traveled the continent, often alone and usually without her husband. Their daughter Lillian was born after a move to Denver in 1978 but the marriage was over. “Neither of us knew how to break out of our fear,” she writes of the break-up, “how to deal openly with disappointments, or how to coach the other across the chasm that separated us.”

A new beginning In Denver, Hunt’s activism took a decisive turn when she began steering her wealth into creative, grassroots efforts to tackle social challenges. Openeyed about the friends that money attracts, she was more interested in handson work than white-glove philanthropy. “Her real concern for needed change in order to get better outcomes and

“I was invited to speak to a group at Radcliffe. I was so excited. I told the

audience it had been my dream to come to Radcliffe but my father wouldn’t let me because he said the college was run by communists. Someone in the audience then shouted, ‘We were!’

”

truth that her mother bore four children to Hunt while he was married to another woman. After his wife’s death, Hunt married Swanee’s mother and the family moved into his Dallas home to begin an awkward relationship with the grown children from Hunt’s first family. “For many years, we were raised by a single mother who had to endure something more difficult than an absent husband,” Hunt says. “She was living a lie, staying with him in a very difficult relationship. She really bore the brunt of all that.” As did the young Swanee. “I remember before we moved in with my father watching the family next door through the window and seeing the father pick up his little girl and walk around with her on his shoulder,” she recalls. “I remember wishing I had that kind of dad.” Growing up in the sixties, Hunt chafed in the cloistered Southern Baptist climate that viewed civil rights and progressive causes as a threat. Social change, especially the empowerment of women and people of color, was not just good for the country but also consistent with the gospels she studied every week at Sunday school. Bright and studious, she eyed colleges in the east but got no farther than Southern Methodist University, a short drive from the Hunt family home. Marriage at age 20 to Mark Weeks, a minister-in-training she’d met at a Youth

Exhale • Winter 2011

not being satisfied with the status quo was simply amazing,” says Hammons. “The ‘Alternatives’ part of the fund she started exemplified her interest in taking approaches different from the established foundations. She wanted to support non-traditional leaders and their ideas to make them possible and work with them. That was her soul and her heart from the beginning.” While writing a Ph.D. thesis on the socio-ethical dimensions of empathy at the Iliff School of Theology, she put her academic concerns to practice by heading task forces on mental illness and early education and chairing the Women’s Foundation. She met her future husband, conductor Charles Ansbacher —the divorced father of a teenage son Henry — not at a symphony ball but at a meeting of the Public Education Coalition, where he was discussing the expansion of music education for children. Hunt, a gifted pianist and budding composer, struck a grace note with the activist conductor who shared her passion for positive change. As the plunge into public policy brought her into increasing contact with politicians, she became an active but demanding donor. During the 1992 election, she threw her support behind Bill Clinton and was named ambassador to Austria after his inauguration. By then, she and Charles were married and the parents of a 5-year-old son, Teddy.

Moving the family to a Bauhaus mansion in Vienna from the house in Denver and her 1,100-acre ranch was just the start of a challenging four-year diplomatic posting. A brutal civil war raging on Austria’s southern doorstep posed difficult moral and political dilemmas for the U.S. and its newly installed ambassador. Shunning the usual rounds of cocktail receptions, Hunt closely followed developments in the former Yugoslavia, where four of the country’s six republics had declared independence and were laying claim to disputed territory occupied by offending Serbs, Croats or Bosnians. She made few friends in Washington by urging more decisive action to stop the sectarian bloodshed in the Balkans. When Serbian troops closed in on Srebrenica in 1995 and slaughtered some 10,000 Muslim men and expelled more than 30,000 women and children, her worst fears were realized. Hunt’s subsequent efforts to gain safe return to their homes for the Srebrenica exiles turned out to be even more frustrating as Foggy Bottom bureaucrats sent warnings around Europe not to cooperate with Hunt. By 1997, Hunt had had enough. There had been successes — peace missions in the Balkans, humanitarian relief convoys to the conflict zone and politically delicate White House meetings. There was even a negotiation at her Vienna home, punctuated by young Teddy breaking the diplomatic ice by playing the theme from “Pink Panther” on the piano and getting the wary Balkan antagonists to join together in song. Charles had also made the best of the posting, becoming the first American to conduct the Sarajevo Philharmonic after the bombing in Bosnia and leading orchestras throughout Central Europe. But, in the end, Hunt could not continue playing the diplomat’s role of “an honest man sent abroad to lie for his country.” The exhausting ordeal, complicated by her daughter Lillian’s diagnosis of bipolar disorder, had her looking stateside once again.

Swanee Hunt and symphony conductor Charles Ansbacher with President Bill Clinton at their Cambridge home. (Photo copyright: Swanee Hunt)

Stateside duty The call from Harvard’s Kennedy School came as a relief. It brought Hunt back to a campus she had first visited decades earlier. In high school, she had wanted to attend Radcliffe College, but her father’s deep distrust of radical eastern elites ended that dream. The offer to head up the public policy program was “a pinch-me moment,” she says. “Shortly after arriving, I was invited to speak to a group at Radcliffe. I was so excited. I told the audience it had been my dream to come to Radcliffe but my father wouldn’t let me because he said the college was run by communists. Someone in the audience then shouted, ‘We were!’ ” The elder Hunt, who funded numerous conservative causes, had actually backed John F. Kennedy over Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential race, believing the Massachusetts senator would be a stronger cold warrior than his California opponent. But he quickly soured on Kennedy. Swanee waves her hand in front of her as if batting away memories of her father’s anti-Harvard harangues. “It’s just as well that he’s not dealing with all of this. It’s hard enough for some other members of my family! The only thing I can imagine about dad in a positive sense is that he would say I was being iconoclastic, because he was iconoclastic.” If shattering idols is a Hunt birthright, the ambassador has tried living up to it. During a mission to Iraq after the 2003 invasion, she pushed envoy Paul Bremer on the make-up of the newly formed 24-member governing council, which had just three women. “I wanted to know why it wasn’t half women — we know women are less extreme and more willing to work together,” she says. “He said, ‘Well, Ambassador Hunt, we’re not going to have a quota. We’re not going to skew this. This is just out of the question.’ ” ^p40

Vice President Al Gore swears Swanee Hunt in as ambassador to Austria while her mother holds the Bible. (Photo copyright: Swanee Hunt)

Swanee Hunt receives a warm welcome in Grand Bassa County, Liberia. (Caitlin Wagner photo)

exhalelifestyle.com

Feature: Force of positive nature

“You can’t understand Swanee

Hunt if you don’t understand the emotions underlying her reservoir of compassion. She knows loss and longing. She spent her early life not in the lap of luxury but in the shadows of fortune. Swanee Hunt and Charles Ansbacher are surrounded by kids and grandkids. (Photo copyright: Swanee Hunt)

“S

o I said, ‘Okay, forget the q word. Let’s just say we want fair representation. So how did you decide on fair representation of Shias, Sunnis and Kurds on the council? Did you make any numerical decisions about their representation or did you just draw a bunch of names out of the hat?’ ” In countries like South Africa, Argentina and France, party rules and even national law require fair representation of women on electoral lists. The lack of an equal commitment in the U.S. leaves the land of liberty ranking 80th out of some 200 countries in the representation of women holding political office —behind nations like Peru and Namibia. Progress has been made. In 1979, women held 3 percent of the seats in Congress; now they hold 17 percent. Only 11 percent of statewide offices were held by women 30 years ago; now it’s close to 23 percent. According to research cited by Hunt, women holding a critical mass of elective offices don’t just influence the conversation — they change it. “No country breeds extremism that has a strong representation of women’s voices,” she says. “As the numbers of women in office increase, the dynamic of the legislative bodies they belong to changes. The women begin to act, speak and vote differently. They reach across the aisle, form coalitions, focus more on health, education and the environment, and less on arms and conflict. They become a more moderating movement.” The recent mid-term U.S. elections featured many women candidates espousing conservative ideals, but the messages from failed GOP hopefuls like Meg Whitman and Carly Fiornia in California, Christine O’Donnell in Delaware, or even Sarah Palin, their enabler-in-chief, didn’t offend Hunt’s more liberal sensibilities. “I find Sarah almost irresistible. I adore her. I just adore her personality. Of course I disagree with her on most every issue. But it was because of Sarah Palin that so many Republican women decided to jump in,” says Hunt. “There are different reasons to want to have women get elected,” she

Exhale • Winter 2011

”

explains. “… Would I vote for a very conservative woman versus a man who better represents my point of view? No. But am I glad she ran? Absolutely. Let’s get more and more women into the political process.” Hunt’s bipartisan Political Parity Project is co-chaired by a Republican, former Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, who has helped fill candidate lists with women and provided hundreds of resumes to governors in over a dozen states who agreed under the team’s gentle duress to name women to high appointed offices. The foundation’s Institute for Inclusive Society brings women from a dozen countries into geo-political decision-making, while the Prime Movers Project supports emerging social leaders like environmentalist Majora Carter, who organized neighbors to transform a section of the South Bronx waterfront into a community park. “I have never met anyone quite like Swanee Hunt,” says Carter. “I can appreciate some of what she must have gone through to accomplish so much in her lifetime. The most unique aspect of the program was that the money was focused on us as individuals leading change. It takes someone who has been through the ringer themselves to understand that those of us sticking our necks out are people, too, and often fight for others at the expense of ourselves.” Hunt’s current work includes preparing for publication of her third book, “Worlds Apart,” which draws on her experience in the Balkans to explore the dangerous gulf between policy makers overseeing conflict zones and the parallel universe inhabited by those on the ground. In 2004, she wrote the awardwinning “This Was Not Our War: Bosnian Women Reclaiming the Peace.” An active supporter of President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, she expects to be involved in the next cycle as well, but beyond that laughs off any predictions for the next half of the zealot’s life. “My experience is that life never evolves according to plans,” she says. “There are moments when life takes off in a different trajectory. You can’t plan them, but you have to seize them.” =

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** Feature

Carolyn Stuart with her late husband Tom and daughters Zada (left) and Sade. (Photo courtesy of Carolyn Stuart)

Exhale â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2011

A question of

— and a little hard work After her husband died, Carolyn Stuart faced the difficult prospect of raising two children alone. And that’s when her family answered the call.

By Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil

t happened on a Thursday. As she sat next to her husband, fragile in his hospital bed, the doctor tapped her on the shoulder and asked her to leave the room. Soon after she heard the words that changed her life — “his heart stopped beating.” Carolyn Stuart, just 41 years old and the mother of two young girls, knew that Tom had struggled with chronic illness his entire life, but never thought she would lose him at such a young age. “I was thinking we’d grow old together,” she says, “that we’d be 80 together.” ^p44

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ExhaleW10_Coarolyn p42-45.indd 43

1/13/11 10:06:43 AM

** L

Feature: A question of faith — and a little hard work

etting go of this dream has been difficult since Tom’s death last April. But with the support of friends, family and community, Carolyn has begun to rebuild her life. It was a love story from the start. Carolyn and Tom met 11 years ago in Nantucket through mutual friends — and they immediately fell in love. “It was magical,” she said of their courtship. Just months later, the two were engaged to be married. The couple eventually became the parents of two girls, Zada and Sade, and balanced family life with successful careers — he as a commercial pilot, and she as a pilates studio owner. But they were not the most likely pair. The daughter of two Chinese immigrants, Carolyn grew up in a small traditional Chinese immigrant family in Manhattan and Long Island, and later moved to Massachusetts for college. Tom, 12 years her senior, was born to a tight-knit Irish family in the projects of South Boston. Growing up in Southie, Tom inherited a quick wit and a memorable sense of humor. Cultural differences caused some tensions in the beginning of their relationship, Carolyn recalls. “When I first met him, if we were ever out, [some of ] his friends wouldn’t even acknowledge me,” she says. But the two bonded over a shared spirituality and the search for a higher purpose in life — Tom would even accompany Carolyn to weekly English services at her Chinatown church. Several years after the wedding, however, their marriage took a difficult turn. Shortly after the birth of their first daughter, Tom was laid off from his job as a pilot, and struggled to find alternative sources of income. He pursued real estate in Providence and put the family’s small earnings toward the business. But one by one, the properties foreclosed, along with their hopes for financial stability. Tom then invested in the coffee vending business, but it never got off the ground. With mounting debt and only a small income, Carolyn and Tom faced the painful prospect of filing for bankruptcy. “Of course I never thought we would be going through bankruptcy,”

Carolyn says. “We both work very hard, paid our bills, don’t live above our means ... and yet here we were.” The possibility of bankruptcy wore them down emotionally, and particularly for Tom, who hated the feeling that he couldn’t provide for his family. “The hardest part was watching him struggle,” she explains. On top of their financial problems, the couple’s Dorchester home was also in disarray — a leaking roof, a flooded basement and an oil spill. “Our life was a mess,” Carolyn says of that time. “I felt like I was drowning and was constantly paddling.” Soon, Tom recovered his job at US Airways. Using his flight privileges, the couple decided to take their daughters on vacation in the Virgin Islands — a muchneeded break from their stressful Carolyn Stuart at home with lives. Enjoying time together as a her two girls. (Photo courtesy family, they finally “saw the light of Carolyn Stuart) at the end of the tunnel,” and felt confident that their problems would soon be resolved. But the worst had yet to come. When the family returned home in February, Tom’s health started to decline — what Carolyn now attributes to the ongoing stress of their financial problems. He was taken to the intensive care unit where he lay unconscious for more than a week. Tom had always gone through bouts of serious illness — and always recovered — and Carolyn thought this time would be no different. Showing signs of improvement, Tom was moved to a rehabilitation facility and soon, home. But on Thursday, April 29, Carolyn came home late to find her husband breathing strangely. She called an ambulance, and had him taken to the hospital, but just hours later he would pass.

“When I was growing up, I always wanted to grow up in a community where I felt like people knew people and helped people, and now I feel like I have that.”

Exhale • Winter 2011

A new reality

Losing her husband was devastating — she felt scared, weak and depressed. But a note from her brother-in-law inspired her to take the

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tragedy head-on. “Show them the warrior that you are,” he wrote. “It shifted me immediately ... it gave me that inner strength to walk through this,” she says. In the months that have gone by since Tom’s death, Carolyn has discovered that in losing a husband, she gained a community. Carolyn’s family and friends rallied to support her. Tom’s family and friends also rushed to her side, taking her in as one of their own, and proving to her how powerful community can be. “[In] this whole experience of Tom passing, they really showed me what love is, what a community is all about,” she says. “When I was growing up, I always wanted to grow up in a community where I felt like people knew people and helped people, and now I feel like I have that.” Carolyn especially felt this sense of community at Tom’s funeral — a traditional Irish wake at O’Brien’s in South Boston, and another service in Chinatown. She can’t help but laugh when remembering that day. “Bring the Irish guy to Chinatown!” she jokes when describing the sight of bagpipes playing in Chinatown. Throughout their marriage, Carolyn never quite understood Tom’s Southie humor, but after his wake, she finally got it — humor was an expression of love. Friends and family also helped Carolyn to repair the damages to the house — so all the problems she once faced with Tom were resolved. Now, Carolyn spends more time with her daughters Zada and Sade, ages 7 and 6, and vows not to take anything for granted. Her financial future is still uncertain — while much of the family’s debt passed with Tom, she is still waiting to see what their creditors will do, and is ready to file for bankruptcy if necessary. But bankruptcy no longer scares her — instead of spending all her energy fighting it, like she once did, she now finds strength in acceptance. “The most important things in life were our health, love, family, happiness and be[ing] grateful [for] what we have — and not our credit score or house or material things.” And Carolyn’s optimism is paying off. After spending 11 years as a pilates studio owner at the Boston Athletic Club, she recently partnered with friends to open their own chain of pilates studios and training centers around New England. With C2 Pilates, Carolyn trains instructors and clients, and enthusiastically watches the growth of her company. In December, C2 Pilates opened its newest site in Connecticut. “Since he passed, this huge door has opened, an unbelievable love, and I feel so fortunate to experience it. And I just feel like I had to lose something so big to grow so much,” Carolyn says. While her grief is still visible — she sobs when recounting his death — she has attained a peace and acceptance with life that seemed impossible just a few months ago. “Big experiences like this push you to grow and look at things and make decisions, walk with a certainty of faith in life,” she continues. “This whole experience has not been easy, but it has been amazing. I know my girls and I will be fine, and Tom is with us watching us grow.” =

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** Feature

FACE Africa founder Saran Kaba Jones with fashion designer Whitney Port (left) and Paige Port in Liberia.

Saran Kaba Jones harnesses social skills and social networks to benefit her native Liberia by Sandra Larson

aran Kaba Jones, 28-year-old founder and executive director of FACE Africa, keeps a schedule that can tax even the young and strong. In a six-week period last fall she traveled to Liberia, California, New Jersey, New York City (three times) and Washington, D.C. She met with potential donors and partners. She gave presentations and attended luncheons and award ceremonies. She talked to people on the street, on airplanes, anyplace she could do what she does best: meet people, make connections, form partnerships. As she roams, she keeps the world apprised of her thoughts and deeds via Twitter, the online social network that allows her to transmit updates to her 8,000plus Twitter followers. This is how the Boston-based Liberian native builds support for her young organization. FACE Africa’s mission is in part to bring basic necessities like clean water to Liberia, a West African nation still reeling from a 14-year civil war. The (Photos courtesy of Face Africa) 46

Exhale • Winter 2011

problems she addresses are somber, but Kaba Jones lightens up her approach with an unlikely pairing of a love for fashion with a mission to help. In October, Kaba Jones went to Liberia with Whitney Port, a young fashion designer featured in the reality shows “The Hills” and “The City.” Port is designing a line of T-shirts for FACE Africa. The shirts will be made by women in a new factory, part of the Liberian Women’s Sewing Project founded by Liberian social entrepreneur Chid Liberty, and sold in the United States to help fund FACE Africa’s projects. It’s just the kind of multi-faceted partnership Kaba Jones loves. “Over the summer I was thinking about ways to marry my love for fashion with my passion for FACE Africa,” Kaba Jones explains. “I thought of the T-shirt idea, and then I heard about Chid’s factory. I said, this is perfect — we can do something that not only creates opportunities for Liberian women but also serves as a sustainable way to raise money for our projects.”

tall, and with her dark brown skin and striking cascade of jet-black hair, it’s easy to see why people have told her she should model. She supplements her five-foot-eight-inch height with heels: “Three or four inches, minimum,” she states, “sometimes six.” In Liberia last July, a damaged bridge prevented Kaba Jones and a small team from reaching the remote Joezohn Village by car, forcing the group to walk a muddy, slippery road for an hour. (Photos courtesy of FACE Africa) What sort of heels, you might wonder, was the fashion-savvy executive director wearing in that predicament? “I was actually wearing flats that day,” she says, laughing, “but they were open-toed sandals, not very practical. I remember thinking next time I visit Liberia I have to bring rain boots.” She doesn’t seem 100 percent convinced though, adding, “I’ve been in situations where I’ve trekked a good distance in heels.” Fashion aside, Kaba Jones explains that her early plan for FACE Africa, whose acronym stands for Fund A Child’s Education, was educational aid. But on a visit to Liberia in 2008 — her first trip back since age 8 when her family fled the country as civil

tangible efforts such as the recently completed project to dig a well in Joezohn Village, where a dirty creek was the only water supply. “It doesn’t really get more basic than water,” she concludes. Kaba Jones formalized FACE Africa as a nonprofit in January 2009. The organization’s first project, a water purification system serving 600 people in Barnesville, Liberia, was funded by a $10,000 Davis Projects for Peace grant. Kaba Jones went on to raise an additional $10,000 that first year. The pace has picked up steadily; she estimated her 2010 fundraising would reach $100,000. Besides in-person networking, her prodigious use of online social networking sites has been key to bringing in funds. Take, for instance, the $20,000 grant from Chase Community Giving. “Chase was giving away five million dollars, and basically inviting people to vote on Facebook for their favorite charities. It was that simple,” she explains. With the help of some of Kaba Jones’s 5,000 Facebook friends, FACE Africa pulled ahead. “We made the top 200 charities cut — which I think was amazing.” Additional funds flowed in from a successful Boston gala in March, a benefit in New York City in October and an online celebrity clothing auction. People who have watched FACE Africa grow cite Kaba Jones’s skill in connecting with people far and wide.

giving and taking. moving and shaking. winning, failing, learning and creating. i’m just a humble student in this human experience ...

Saran Kaba Jones at home with her husband Ainsworth Jones. (Photo courtesy of Shawnea Frett Ajao, Don’t FRETT Photography)

She is also involved with I-ELLA, an online designer clothing marketplace that donates a portion of purchases to charities. She serves as — what else? — partnerships coordinator, recruiting fashion celebrities to auction off items from their closet for a cause, which is sometimes FACE Africa, if Kaba Jones has a say in it. At FACE Africa’s borrowed office space in Cambridge on a November afternoon, Kaba Jones looks stylish in a dark plaid pencil skirt, a pale cardigan over a white ruffled blouse and shiny black-and-white spectator pumps. She’s slender and

war broke out — she came face to face with needs more urgent. “My whole perspective changed on what needed to be done,” she says. “I saw kids that were so sick with diarrhea and other waterborne diseases. I thought, you can’t really educate kids if they’re too sick to get up each day to go to school.” Kaba Jones had come to Massachusetts in 1999 to attend college. Concentrating in international relations and political science at Harvard, she knew her career would center on Africa in some way. The trip to Liberia crystallized her mission. “Until you’re actually on the ground, it’s really hard to understand how hard the situation is,” she says. “I was shocked. I wasn’t prepared for that level of poverty and violence and devastation.” Speaking with a voice of authority and dismay, she ticked off a list of woes: The 1989-2003 conflict left Liberia with a shattered infrastructure. Unemployment is 85 percent. Few people have access to electricity or clean water. And so FACE Africa’s focus turned to simple,

“A lot of organizations in Liberia are focused on Liberia-based media, or only on Liberians, and it’s difficult to reach across the globe. But Saran’s reaching across that line,” says Taa Wongbe, founder of the Liberian Professional Network (LPN), an organization of Liberian Diaspora professionals around the world. “Everyone across the globe who’s interested in Africa and Liberia, and has access to Twitter and Facebook — she’s reaching out to them,” Wongbe adds. “Saran has expanded [her focus] to any global citizen.” Providence attorney Zoe Cooper was introduced to Kaba Jones as Cooper was starting a local LPN chapter. “I’m a huge fan of what Saran is doing,” says Cooper, who plans to make a donation to FACE Africa on behalf of guests at her large wedding next year. “Plus, she’s amazing at networking. Not just with Twitter, but in her everyday encounters with people. She’s comfortable with everyone. Networking to different levels of people comes naturally, and she’s really leveraged that.” ^p48

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Feature: The Connector

ast summer Kaba Jones quit her six-year job as an investment project manager with the Singapore government to devote herself full time to FACE Africa, and is doing it mostly by herself, with no salary from the organization. She has little free time to spend with her husband, Ainsworth Jones, a Jamaican-born attorney she met at Harvard and married in 2007. He sometimes meets her for the last few days of a trip, she said. But she tweets from airports about missing him. “He’s been very supportive,” she says. “He believes in me so much I have no choice but to keep going.” She credits her sometimes 24-hour work habits with being an “only girl” amid three brothers. “It helped shape who I am today, because I never wanted to let my parents down,” she says. Her parents, who came to the United States and settled in Maryland after she was here in college, are proud of her, she says, but they do worry. Last spring, when she was ready to drop after organizing the FACE Africa gala, her mother traveled to Boston to do what only mothers can do. “I cooked for her to be sure that she ate,” Fatmata Kaba recalls, speaking by phone from Maryland. “She was exhausted. She lost a lot of weight. I told her not to ever do that again. I told her husband not to allow her to do that again.” Kaba Jones’s father, Brahima Kaba, whose diplomatic posts moved the family to France, Egypt and Cypress while Kaba Jones was growing up, is now a commissioner with the Liberian Land Commission and spends much of his time in Monrovia, where he and Fatmata are planning to live when they retire. Brahima Kaba also serves as an on-the-ground advisor for his daughter’s projects in Liberia. By the end of her late-fall travel rush, Kaba Jones was already planning to go back to Africa in December. Once there she would deliver the keynote address to a women’s empowerment conference in Senegal, check on the newly completed Joezohn project, launch another clean water project and visit small weaving shops in preparation for starting an online market for Liberian-made goods. She’s looking ahead to a long-term grant awarded by All for Africa — again, won with the aid of Facebook and Twitter voters. The $30,000-for30-years trust starts paying in 2012 and will go toward operational expenses such as travel and a part-time staff. In the short term, she is planning for the second annual FACE Africa gala (“a coming-out party for the new T-shirts”) and a large clean water project with UNICEF, Irish Aid and Concern WorldWide to start in early 2011. Her work has not gone unrecognized. She was nominated for a 2010 CNN Hero award. She had no expectation of making the cut, but she attended the Los Angeles ceremony in November, as she has done for the last three years. She remains awed by the heroes honored, and thrilled by the red-carpet glitz of the affair. She was clearly on a high after that trip, which began with a presentation to potential donors in Santa Barbara and concluded with a serendipitous in-flight meeting with a CNN correspondent. A tweet summed it up: “seatmate on my LAX/ATL flight was a

CNN International News correspondent who has an interest in Liberia ... #thatisall #fate #productivetrip.”

But a few days later, in the wee hours of Nov. 27, heading back to New York City after a brief Thanksgiving break, she tweeted a less buoyant, more philosophical note:

“giving and taking. moving and shaking. winning, failing, learning and creating. I’m just a humble student in this human experience ...” = 48

Exhale • Winter 2011

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** Feature

She is known as Nara Paz, short for Nara Lucia D'Avila Paz-Gain, and she has come a long way to the world of high fashion. It all started with a little, red pinafore dress. By Howard Manly

Nara Lucia Avila Paz-Gain walks down the runway and takes a bow at the “Pieces of Me” fashion show in 2009.

Exhale • Winter 2011

As Nara Paz tells the story, it was the first time that she can remember ever seeing her father. She was 7 years old, the second of four daughters, and her parents had been divorced for four years. He had since left their small village in Brazil to live in another part of the country. But on this day, the one Nara Paz still vividly remembers some 30 years later, he was coming back home. Standing before her, Nara Paz recalls, was a strong, handsome, welldressed man with a big smile. Beside him was a stunningly beautiful lady — his new wife — with Chanel hair and red painted nails that matched her lipstick. For Nara Paz, that image of style and elegance was a life-changing moment. By then, she was already designing clothes. Every now and then, an aunt would bring leftover material from her job at a local fabric store and Nara Paz would sit and sew little outfits.

othing fancy — they were for her paper dolls — but she showed a talent for creating shapes, blending colors and stitching different fabrics and materials. On the day her father visited, Nara Paz wanted to dress up — and that she did. She had used her grandmother’s foot-driven sewing machine to make a red pinafore. In her young, creative mind, she was going to be like Coco Chanel, the French fashion designer who became an international style-setter during the Roaring 20s. If Nara Paz thought her red pinafore dress was fancy then, she is really fancy now. An emerging star in the world of signature tailored and refined couture designs, Nara Paz operates out of a studio in Woburn and is back and forth to New York for business all the time. The hard work is paying off. Her designs are adorning women across the world, including most recently the resplendent gown for Boston media personality Gail Huff. Huff contacted Nara Paz after hearing of her work from a mutual friend. It was late notice, but Huff needed something to wear to attend the White House Christmas Ball with her husband U.S. Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA). The gown turned heads. The multi-layers of fabric consisted of black and gold lace with subtle burnt orange and crystal blue floral patterning. Silk chiffon made up the underskirt of the strapless dress; the bodice done in olive green silk. Fancy, indeed. Nara Paz had already wowed Bostonians last year when she showed her collection during Boston’s Fashion Week at Macy’s and at BOKX 109 American Prime Restaurant. She also came to the attention of Hub doyenne Marilyn Riseman who hosted a fashion show for her at Brasserie JO in Boston last fall. Her designs are a reflection of the elegant style she learned early on. “In Brazil, image and appearances are extremely important,” she says. “I will always remember [my mother] saying, ‘If you look good you will feel good.’ That is how I feel about myself and the impact of clothing I want to design for others.” It’s been a long way since the red pinafore. Thirty years ago, Nara Paz had few choices growing up in Quarai, a village of about 24,000 people in the southwestern region of Brazil that borders Uruguay. None of them included couture designs. Best known for its farmlands, cowboys — and not much else — the choices were pretty clear for young women: get married and work as a school teacher or get married and work in a

grocery or fabric store. It didn’t take long before she figured out that she, like her father, would need to leave her hometown. That was the vision; reality was something else. Nara Paz saw how difficult life could be. She saw it in her mother. Armed with only an elementary school education, Nara Paz’s mother worked multiple menial jobs to support the family. That meant each of the daughters learned at an early age how to cook and clean and sew. There was little time for play.

A young Nara Paz (middle) is shown here at the age of 3 with her mother and sister.

“Fortunately for me,” Nara Paz says, “my mother and sisters were always supportive and encouraging.” To this day, her mother’s influence remains strong: “She taught me how to take care of myself and how to be a proud and respectable woman.” But it was her father who encouraged her to dream big. “He was my first inspiration,” she says. “He inspired me to think differently — to have a mind of my own and a spirit interested in always discovering new things in life.” Her father also gave her another gift — the courage to leave the village. She left home at 18 and landed 900 miles away in Porto Alegre, a city with more than 4 million people. She was studying for her teacher’s certificate and working multiple jobs. She had wanted to become an artist but her mother didn’t approve. “Artists don’t make a living in Brazil,” her mother told her time and again. So she worked — and

improvised. One of her first jobs was selling advertisements for Yellow Pages. But she quickly became more interested in laying out the ads rather than selling. Although she had never considered graphic design as a career option, she left Yellow Pages and started working for a graphic design company. The timing could not have been better. Mormaii, a Brazilian based surfboard manufacturing company, wanted to enter the lucrative beachwear business making bikinis, T-shirts, shorts and other items. The project involved the design of a new corporate logo as well as re-imaging Mormaii’s corporate documentation, point-of-sale displays and advertising and promotional literature. At the same time, she started working with a friend who was interested in starting a lingerie business with Nara Paz as its designer. They quickly formed a partnership. Life was starting to get busy. By 1997, she had left the design company in Porto Alegre and moved to Joinville in Santa Catarina, Brazil. With the money she had saved, she launched her own full service graphic design business at the service center of Univille University. She was taking classes there at the time and eventually received a bachelor’s degree in industrial design. ^p52

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: Dreaming of Coco started their own company to produce a line of beachwear clothing called “Sexy Bebe.” They were able to make a go of it for a few years. But shipping and transportation problems in Brazil were rampant and, as a result, they were forced to shut down the fledgling operation. By then, America was calling. Because of other business commitments, they were spending more and more time in Boston. In late 2004, Nara Paz decided to do what she had dreamed back in her childhood — high-end fashion design.

clothing should represent: quality, value and a profound note of self-realization.” “For the Real You” is the appropriate name for Nara Paz’s latest line of distinct fashions that Nara Paz says will make “the timid less timid, the awkward less awkward, the sexy, more sensual and the confident more confident.” That might be true. Nara Paz is just that good — her parents raised her that way. = Colette Greenstein contributed to this article.

ut running a business and attending school proved exhausting, and after five years, she needed a break. And that’s when she decided to go to New Zealand. Part of the reason was to take a sabbatical and study English. The other part was a bit romantic. She had heard that it was a country with spectacular scenery and natural beauty. All that she heard was true. And then some. “It’s so beautiful, peaceful and life inspiring,” she says. “A place where the ocean is no more than 75 miles away … where you can walk by the seaside everyday, overlooking picturesque harbors with astonishing houses and an abundance of cafes and exquisite boutique shops along tree-lined, winding shorelines.” While there, she met her future husband Dennis Gain, an international business development executive who had offices in Auckland, New Zealand and Boston. Despite their language barriers (he didn’t speak Portuguese and her English was elementary), they talked about business and fashion. Before anyone knew, they moved to Brazil and

Exhale • Winter 2011

She hasn’t looked back. Last year she graduated summa cum laude from Lasell College in Newton with a B.A. in fashion design & production. And she is receiving recognition for her work. “Nara Paz,” says Jimmy Guzman, writer for Examiner.com, “reminds [us] of what it is that

“For the Real You” is the appropriate name for Nara Paz’s latest line of distinct fashions that Nara Paz says will make “the timid less timid, the awkward less awkward, the sexy, more sensual and the confident more confident.”

Photography by Kim Kennedy ksquaredstudios.com Hair/Makeup Mariolga 54

Exhale â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2011

Beauty Tips

Everyone possesses beauty;

let’s define it for you

As our skin matures we lose definition of our features and we start concentrating on what we don’t like instead of accentuating our own beauty. Make up at times can become frightening because there are so many products. When it comes to beauty I like to keep it simple .

By Mariolga

Here is how to do just that

The most important beauty trick is to even out your skin. If you don’t like to use foundation, try a creamy concealer. You do not have to use concealer just under your eyes; you can apply it anywhere you need a little coverage. I usually look for red spots (around the nose, outer corner of the eyes and even the cheeks). The point here is to cover areas that can be a distraction from our features. Use a creamy texture so it is easier to blend and please ... apply it with a brush.

For me, this step is as important as the first one. Blush serves as a little pinch of color and goes a long way. I prefer using cream-based blushes, but if you have very oily skin go for a powder blush. I love shades of pink and peach. Those shades will give your face a healthy glow.

“

in five stepS

We all know that eyebrows frame your face. A well groomed eyebrow is like a mini eye lift. I like to use a gel-based eyebrow color. This product looks like a mascara, but comes out much lighter. They usually come in taupe, auburn and brunette shades. It will deposit color on your brows and will keep them in place all day.

If you are a gal that loves to play with eye shadows, that’s great. But if you are like me, a mom with three kids and work, here are a few easy ways to make those eyes pop. I like using light shimmery eye shadows. The one step application is enough to make some light reflect from your lids. In a pinch, many times I just apply a little concealer on my lids. Invest in a lash curler. By simply curling your lashes you create a more open eye look. Remember to apply mascara as close as you can get to the root of your lashes.

For a quick fix, many times I use cream blush in my lips followed by a light gloss or lip moisturizer. I like to keep the shade of the lips in the same temperature as the cheeks. What I mean by that is that if you use a cool tone in your cheeks (rose, pink, mauves), do the same in your lips. If you use a warm tone (peach, taupe, bronze), do the same in your lips or keep them nude with a clear gloss. It is important that the colors don’t fight each other. But if you are one of those ladies that won’t get caught without her red lipstick, like my mother, then go for it!

Make up should be fun. Remember: It is not how much you wear; it is wearing what is right for you.

ExhaleF10_Beauty tips p54-55 W1155 55

exhalelifestyle.com

1/13/11 10:08:08 AM

Exhale â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2011

Finance

By Marcel V. Quiroga

t is the end of another 10-hour workday that has been full of challenges with customers and colleagues for an average 34-year-old woman whom we will call Missy. Following a quick dinner with her kids, Missy is out the door to buy milk, bread and a notebook for her daughter for school. Missy has a knot in her stomach as she parks her car in front of the local supermarket. She knows that she has a very small amount of credit left on her card, and that she will need it to pay for expenses until her next paycheck comes in. How much credit she has left exactly, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not sure. What she does know is that she has been using her credit card far too often and she is tired of being so tight on money. If you asked Missy why she is so stressed, she might not readily identify financial problems as the cause of her woes and anxiety. What she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize is that her lack of patience with her children, her avoidance of spending time with her friends, the difficulty she often has concentrating at work, and her looming sense of depression stem mostly from her angst about money. Financial woes are far too common for women. One of the main causes for difficulty in this area is womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low level of financial literacy. In 2009, I began interviewing mothers about the education they received from their parents about money and finances. The overwhelming response was that they had not been taught the basics of finances or how to manage money. Most of them learned about this on their own or the hard way. I also asked them how they were educating their daughters about the same topic. Some of them related that they did spend time talking to their daughters about personal finances such as ageappropriate information on savings and investments. However, the majority recognized that they had not spent much time talking about this either to their girls or boys. ^p58

exhalelifestyle.com

Finance: Count on yourself financial freedom for women

was not surprised. More often than not, parents teach their children the same things they were taught as kids. As important as it is, financial literacy is not usually on the parental curriculum. Susan Rittscher, CEO of the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE), tells us “it is very important for women to be financially literate; that can lead to financial independence. Too many women have relied on their families, husbands or others to provide the necessary financial acumen for a family for years; that results in dependence.” Financial literacy is the first step for developing a financial plan as a blueprint to secure financial independence. However, though women are now more educated than in years past, their level of financial literacy tends to be worse than men’s. Without financial literacy, having a financial plan isn’t possible. “A man is not a plan,” says Kathleen McQuiggan, consultant to the Global Women’s Equality Fund, Pax Investments and president and founder of Catalina Leadership. That “is what I try to tell as many up and coming professional women as I can today. Women face an entirely different set of financial challenges than men do. Whether it is due to the current wage gap, the fact women tend to spend more time outside the workforce caring for children and parents, or the fact women live longer than men … all these factors come into play.” If you are surprised to hear that some women still think of a man as their plan or that the wage gap endures in our country, Missy’s story provides an example of what can go financially wrong. She married young, quite sure that

she was “all set” as far as money goes. Her ex-husband came from a wealthy family and had a high-paying job. Divorce was not part of her “plan,” as it isn’t for any women when they are getting married. Nor is a spouse’s premature death or disability for that matter. When Missy found herself a single parent of two children, and she was earning less than a man in a similar position, she was hit with a hard reality. Not only had she been away from the workforce for nine years (on average women take 11 years away from their careers), she also had to face the cost of raising children on her own. Her husband was not able to provide child support, he said, and was able to establish that in court. Rittscher affirms that financial literacy “helps provide insurance for their [women’s] family if they need to weather a storm of divorce, death or family destabilization.” McQuiggan adds that “understanding your own P & L [profit & loss] will give you important information that will allow you to make the best and most informed decisions as situations arise that will impact your career, family and philanthropic interests.” For individuals, a P & L is a cash flow statement, a document that details incoming and outgoing money and how much savings (profit) or unmet payments (loss) the individual has accumulated. A good resource for gaining more financial knowledge is MyMoney.gov,

Exhale • Winter 2011

a government website that helps people to become more financially literate by providing educational resources, practical tools and guidance for facing different financial situations. When women gain good financial acumen at a young age, they are less likley to find themselves entangled in debt and dependent on others for funds. Most, if not all, mothers that participated in my financial education interviews expressed a desire for help in teaching their daughters and sons good financial practices. he YWCA Boston provides women financial education and tools when they are young, teaching them how to have healthy financial habits. In its fall newsletter, the YWCA Boston mentions that fewer than 30 percent of women under 30 understand how credit card debt works. Additionally, it indicates that in 2004 the average retirement income for women was $12,000. And that is prerecession data! Reality is tough for many women, but there are also some who have enough money in the bank to make them feel like they are on secure financial ground. These women must also realize that financial knowledge is key to safeguarding what they have. Spending, taxes, lawsuits and inflation are the main causes of wealth erosion. As McQuiggan points out, “it’s not about what you have, it’s about what you spend.” She tells women to “have a plan, know what you spend, and ask questions,” and adds, “It is critical for women to have a financial plan. It doesn’t have to be super sophisticated. […] understand where your money goes and what you are spending. A financial plan helps give you a framework to work from and lets you understand the levers of choices you make,” she says. Today Missy has taken responsibility for her finances and this has given her more confidence, which in turn has led her to improve various aspects of her life. “I know I can’t make up for lost time or patch all of my mistakes, financial and non-financial,” she states, “but I am doing good and I know I will be well going forward.” Women will do well for themselves by taking charge of their financial presence and future. “One of the most important things that women can do to strengthen their personal finances is to spend less, save more, keep their credit score strong and don’t overuse credit. The key to financial success for any person is found in these principles,” Rittscher of the CWE asserts. If you have overspent, been underpaid or been blindsided by the effects of poor financial planning, it’s time to stand up to yourself, which means taking responsibility for the situation, like Missy did. The first step is to take blame and guilt out of your financial equation. Blame and guilt require energy, and that energy can be better put to use in making things right. What happened in the past, a job loss, a divorce, lack of guidance, unwise spending, the economic crisis or a market downturn will no doubt affect your present. Take the first step toward counting on yourself by making the decision to get educated on personal finances, put what you learn into practice and develop a plan for financial stability and success. =

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TuESDAy, APRIL 26, 2011 DONNA KARAN Fashion Designer & Philanthropist

Passion & Profession LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

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“An extremely empowering event for women of all professions.” -2010 attendee “An extremely empowering event for women of all professions.” SuzANNE DE PASSE

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Award-winning journalist & Author

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— 2010 Attendeee exhalelifestyle.com

SuzANNE DE PASSE

MARIA HINOjOSA

juDItH jAMISON

CEO, de Passe Entertainment Group

Award-winning journalist & Author

Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance theater

SIMMONS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

TuESDAy, APRIL 26, 2011

Passion Profession Tuesday, April 26, 2011

How did we choose Passion & Profession as the theme for the 2011 Simmons Leadership Conference? We asked ourselves what essential ingredient drives the success of people at the top of their professions. We agreed that one common denominator is passion for their lifework, whatever form that may take. Indeed, it is passionate commitment to a vision that underlies the ability to take risks, overcome obstacles, seek new opportunities, and become effective leaders. In unique and diverse ways, the renowned speakers participating in this premier event have demonstrated the clarity of purpose and tenacity of will that have helped to make their organizations — and the world — a better place.

Keynote Speakers • • • •

Anne Mulcahy, Chair, Save the Children; former Chair and CEO, Xerox Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Author & Chair, Carlson Companies (former CEO) Maria Hinojosa, Award-winning journalist and author Donna Karan, Fashion Designer and Philanthropist

Signature Speakers

• Suzanne de Passe, CEO, de Passe Entertainment Group LLC; Co-chair, de Passe Jones Entertainment • Judith Jamison, Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Exhale • Winter 2011

Session Speakers

• Sally Helgesen, Internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and leadership development consultant • Betty Liu, Award-winning anchor of Bloomberg Television’s “In the Loop with Betty Liu” • Eileen McDargh, Internationally renowned expert on organizational culture change • Juliette Powell, Social media thought leader and author

The Day at a Glance 6:45 – 8:00

REGIStRAtION AND CONtINENtAL BREAKFASt

8:35 – 9:25

OPENING PLENARy SESSION – Anne Mulcahy

8:00 – 8:30

WELCOMING REMARKS

9:30 – 10:50 CONCuRRENt MORNING SESSIONS

1. 2. 3. 4.

Signature Dialogue: Producing with Passion Suzanne de Passe with Joyce Kulhawik Media Seminar: Capitalizing on Social Networks Juliette Powell Communications Workshop – Surviving & Thriving with Difficult People Eileen McDargh Leadership Lessons Redefined: the Female Vision: the Next Frontier for Women Leaders

10:50 – 11:20 Meet the Speakers Book-Signing Break

11:20 – 12:10 MORNING PLENARy SESSION – Marilyn Carlson Nelson 12:15 – 1:30 LuNCHEON 1:30 – 2:20 2:25 – 3:45

AFtERNOON PLENARy SESSION – Maria Hinojosa CONCuRRENt AFtERNOON SESSIONS

6. Signature Dialogue: Where Passion Meets Profession Judith Jamison with Maria Hinojosa 7. Communication Workshop II: Lead-Her-Ship: Claiming the Power Passion, Play, and Purpose of our Lives Eileen McDargh 8. Media Seminar: Capitalizing on Social Networks (repeat of morning session) Juliette Powell 9. Eye on the Economy – Business as usual? Betty Liu 10. Business Panel – Female Vision Expanded Panelists: TBA

Moderator: Sally Helgesen

3:45 – 4:15

Meet the Speakers Book-Signing Break

5:15 – 6:00

CONNECtION RECEPtION

4:15 – 5:15

CLOSING PLENARy SESSION – Donna Karan

Closing Keynote Donna Karan

Iconic fashion designer Donna Karan launched her empire in less than a decade by creating her signature line of beautiful, durable, and wearable clothing for real people — particularly working women. In many ways, she embodies the theme of this year’s conference by making a profession out of her lifelong passion for good design and craftsmanship. Karan closes the Simmons Leadership Conference with a fascinating account of 25 years at the helm of a multimillion-dollar enterprise and her current philanthropic ventures in support of integrative medicine, cultural preservation, and other social causes close to her heart. Twenty-five years ago, world famous fashion designer Donna Karan revolutionized the way working women dressed by creating her fabled system of seven flexible pieces. She began her illustrious career at Anne Klein where she remained for several years as head designer. Driven by a desire to start her own company, she launched her Donna Karan label in 1985 with a couture collection that won rave reviews. From there, Karan went on to built an international fashion empire spanning men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, beauty products and home furnishings. Today she continues in her role as chair and lead designer of the company, which is now owned by the French luxury conglomerate LVMH. Karan has received some of the fashion industry’s highest accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the Superstar Award from the Fashion Group International. A long-time sponsor of social causes, she uses her company’s visibility and resources to raise funds for such organizations as the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Her latest philanthropic venture is the urban Zen Initiative, founded to advance wellness, preserve culture, and empower children. exhalelifestyle.com

Travel

Fairmont, Southampton, Bermuda

Family Fun

Atlantis-Paradise Island

One of the joys of living in Boston is the changing seasons. The soft spring breezes turn into the warmth of beaches in summer, which then evolve into fiery vistas of autumn. However, soon after the first snowfall, even the hardiest New Englander begins to dream of a tropical escape. Fortunately, Boston is conveniently located just a few hours away by plane from some of the best Caribbean islands ... where white sands and turquoise surf await. For a quick romantic getaway and the best golf and spa experience, Bermuda is like no other place on earth. The island offers resort hotels with numerous dining and amenity options, expansive swimming pools and beaches or access to a beach club. Bermuda also offers smaller more intimate guesthouses, with breakfast included. As the oldest member of the British Commonwealth, the island offers traditions and heritage of England, such as afternoon teatime, while looking out over pink sands and clear azure sea as far as the eye can see. It is this mix of the old and the new, the casual and the elegant, that make this island unique. If a quick family vacation is what you long for, Nassau/Paradise Island, one of the most popular islands of the Bahamas, is a perfect choice. Cable Beach in Nassau boasts one of the finest white-sand beaches in the world and ideally situated alongside the impressive Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. This newly renovated resort offers three swimming pools with cascading waterfalls and an active kids club. Another choice for family fun is the world-renowned Atlantis-Paradise Island, which is just across the bridge from Nassau on Paradise Island. This enormous, unique resort features the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest marine habitat, home to more than 50,000 sea animals living in 14 exhibit lagoons. Kids and adults will enjoy exploring AQUAVENTURE, a new innovative waterscape of thrilling slides, rivers and rides, as well as 20 swimming areas. Families can interact with the gentle dolphins in Dolphin Cay. Atlantis offers a large Las Vegas-style casino, a variety of dining options from relaxed to gourmet, Atlantis Kids Adventure club, Gamerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reef and Club Rush for teens. ^p64

exhalelifestyle.com

Travel

Girls’ Retreat

Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, Jamiaca

Omni, Cancun

Popular girls’ getaways are the perfect weekend activity for friends to reconnect and relax. With many resorts and destinations to choose from, one of the best is Jamaica. Just outside of Montego Bay is the Rose Hall area of Jamaica. The upscale, Iberostar complex offers three hotels and caters to any budget. The Iberostar Rose Hall is a comfortable, charming hotel with excellent service, several à la carte dining options and a beautiful oceanfront location. Its sister property and next on the beach, Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, offers larger accommodations, an array of dining options and the use of the Iberostar Rose Hall, in addition to its own facilities. The newest Iberostar, opened in 2009, is the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall. This adults-only, luxurious resort offers the best in amenities including individual butler/concierge service, restaurants, spa treatments and includes a complimentary round of golf at the nearby Cinnamon Hill Golf Course with a three-night stay. Also popular are male-bonding vacations and a perfect choice for a quick and easy getaway is Cancun. Cancun is known for its nightlife, but some visitors may not be aware of its championship golf courses, gourmet cuisine and beautiful beaches. Your mancation can be as active or as relaxed as you wish, and all-inclusive resort options abound. The Omni Cancun Hotel and Villas offers renovated facilities, a great location only 15 minutes from the airport, with wonderful sea views, and all at a value price. For an all-inclusive option, the Riu Palace Las Americas is upscale, with wonderful service and great dining options. If the nightlife of Cancun doesn’t tempt you and the idea of a perfect holiday is relaxing on the beach, near to an authentic, Mexican beach town, then Playa del Carmen is the place for you. This small, relaxed village is located about 45 minutes from the Cancun airport and offers numerous resorts and hotels in the area of Playacar and Playa del Carmen. The all-inclusive, all-suite Gran Porto Real is located in the heart of Playa del Carmen and offers great dining options, warm service and a relaxed, yet upscale ambiance. Their sister property offers an adults-only experience, with even more spacious suites, lavish amenities, full-service luxury spa and the same warm service and attention to detail.=

For more information, call 1-888-GO–TNT-GO or visit www.tntvacations.com. 64

Exhale • Winter 2011

Massachusetts

Ski Getaways

Central Massachusetts Wachusett Mountain has a big-mountain resort atmosphere with small town feel conveniently located only 50 minutes from Boston. It’s a getaway vacation right in your own backyard! Come for the day or spend the weekend at the fabulous Wachusett Inn nestled in the heart of the “Wachusett Region” in Westminster, Mass. Perfect for a solitary retreat, or a couples’ or girls’ getaway, the Inn offers an array of spa treatments as well as fine dining. Of course, there is plenty to do on and off the mountain for the entire family. Noteworthy events: Women’s Fest, a day on the mountain just for women, is on Friday, March 18, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn to run NASTAR or simply enjoy the slopes. With a continental breakfast, ski clinics, instruction, tea break and a cozy overnight stay at the Wachusett Inn, it’s a great way to spend time with the girls. E-mail Sandy Powers at sandy@wachusett.com to sign up for the day’s event and contact the Inn at www. wachusettvillageinn.com to make your overnight accommodations.

Wachusett Mountain also offers ski clinics for women. Whether you’re a novice, intermediate or experienced skier, you’ll find what you need in our women’s clinics. With a non-threatening and supportive teaching approach, you can progress at your own pace while getting some great winter exercise. The sessions take place on Thursday mornings and include continental breakfast at 9 a.m.; guest speakers at 11 a.m. each morning on

fashion, health, skin care, equipment, exercise and more; On-Snow Clinic from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and video analysis on scheduled days. To register, call 978-464-2300 x 3300. 1) Thursdays – Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, 2) Thursdays – Feb. 10 & 17 and March 3, 10 & 17

Western Massachusetts Ski Butternut and Jiminy Peak are both in western Massachusetts, 2 ½-3 hours from Boston and New York City and 1 hour from Albany, N.Y. Ski Butternut, 23 trails, 10 lifts and a vertical drop of 1,000 feet, is an ideal place to learn to ski with plenty of gentle terrain, four easy-to-ride carpet lifts, a dedicated beginner chairlift and friendly staff. The Learn to Ski or Snowboard package for 7 years and up includes a group lesson for first timers, a beginner lift ticket and equipment rentals for just $75, with an option to buy an additional Return to Learn package, also $75. Ski Butternut also offers half- and full-day lessons for ages 4-13. A 7-lane Tubing Center adds more downhill fun for kids and adults. Ski Butternut is in Great Barrington, a charming southern Berkshire town, known for its sophisticated dining and charming inns and B&Bs. Visit www.skibutternut. com for more information. Jiminy Peak, 45 trails, nine lifts, 1,150 foot vertical drop, is Massachusetts’ largest ski and snowboard resort. You can stay at the base of the mountain in the Country Inn suites or vacation homes, with shopping, dining and whirlpools, and treat yourself to an après ski massage at the resort’s

In-Touch Day Spa. First Time Lesson package includes a 90-minute group lesson (on special short skis), beginner lift ticket and rental equipment for as low as $69. Want more thrills? On weekends and holidays, you can barrel through the woods on the Jiminy Peak Mountain Coaster and reach speeds of up to 25 mph — if you dare. Of note: Jiminy has a impressive roster of sustainable programs, the most visible of which is Zephyr, a 253-foot-high wind turbine that generates one third of the resort’s electrical needs. Deals: Stay midweek at the Country Inn and receive up to two complimentary junior passes (12 years and under). Get Thursday night free when you stay both Friday and Saturday nights. Visit www.jiminypeak.com for more information. Want to be pampered? The Cranwell Resort in nearby Lee (40 minutes from Jiminy Peak, 25 minutes from Ski Butternut) offers luxurious spa and girlfriends getaway/mother-daughter retreat packages. Visit www.cranwell.com for more information. In nearby Lee, Lee Premium Outlets features 35 stores that offer name brands at bargain prices. Visit www.premiumoutlets.com for more information.

Merrimack Valley Nashoba Valley Ski Area is located 25 miles from Boston in Westford, Mass., and offers a great ski getaway without the long drive. A mountain for beginner and intermediate skiers, Nashoba Valley is a full-service ski area offering lessons, rentals, skiing and snowboarding, as well as host to numerous other activities, all of which make Nashoba Valley Boston’s own year-round recreational facility. With a snow tubing park and a terrain park for snowboarding, Nashoba Valley offers something for everyone. The Outlook Restaurant, the on-site restaurant and lounge, offers fine dining and for extending your stay to a weekend or longer. There are some great ski and stay packages available at the Residence Inn by Marriott and the Hampton Inn & Suites, both located just two miles from Nashoba. Each package includes two ski lift tickets or two tubing tickets, and both offer a complimentary hot breakfast buffet served daily and many other amenities. Visit www.skinashoba.com for more information.= exhalelifestyle.com

Cultural Calendar

February 2-6

The Cripple of Inishmaan

Irish humor is legendary. And Martin McDonagh (author of the screenplay for the film In Bruges) has single-handedly taken it to a new contemporary level. This hilarious production revives the unique partnership of the Druid ensemble with writer McDonagh and director Gerry Hynes. Paramount Mainstage 559 Washington Street, Boston

February 3

Project Beethoven

January 7-February 6 Ruined

The Huntington Theatre Company presents Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Ruined. Savvy business woman Mama Nadi knows how to survive in the midst of the Congo civil war: don’t take sides. She sells beers and girls to any man who’ll leave his gun at the door. The good-time atmosphere of the canteen and her sharp wits can’t always protect her and her girls, but their courage, humor, and hope live on in this gripping drama. Boston University Theatre Tickets are regularly $25-$89. Use code EXHALE for $39/$25 tickets. For more information, call 617-266-0800 or visit www.huntingtontheatre.org.

January 25-31 PSY

January 29

SoLo iN TiME

Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo makes his BSO debut in these concerts and is joined by Romanian pianist Radu Lupu in Beethoven’s stormy Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor. Oramo also leads Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev’s Sixth Symphony, a three movement work moving from dark to light that Prokofiev wrote just after World War II in the Soviet Union. Beginning the program is Mussorgsky’s thrilling Night on Bald Mountain. The BSO has also invited fashion students in conjunction with their schools to participate in a fashion contest in association with this Beethoven concert. The fashions will be modeled before the BSO evening concert Feb. 3 from 7-8 p.m. and the final reception event and runway presentation to take place post-concert at 10 p.m. Symphony Hall, Boston Boston Symphony Orchestra Sakari Oramo, conductor Radu Lupu, piano Mussorgsky (arr. Rimsky-Korsakov) Night on Bald Mountain Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 Prokofiev Symphony No. 6 Tickets are $29-$108. For more information, visit www.BSO.org, Symphony Hall or call 888-266-1200.

February 4-6

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company: Body Against Body

The staggeringly talented and achingly hip young performers of PSY each have their own peculiar modern malady along with an amazing set of heart-stopping, death-defying circus skills to match — including aerial ropes, trapeze and breathtaking acrobatics. Cutler Majestic Theatre 219 Tremont Street, Boston

January 27-30

The Color of Rose

Now we get to hear from Rose. As the aged Rose Kennedy prepares herself for a pressing interview, she revisits her past through the eyes of her youth and middle-age. Her candid reflections paint a unique and fascinating picture of this legendary family. Kick-off event for the ArtsEmerson Irish Festival. Paramount Black Box 559 Washington Street, Boston

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Since the Broadway smash Bring in ’Da Noise, Bring in ’Da Funk, Savion Glover has tapped his way into dance legend. In his latest creation, SoLo iN TiME, Glover and his company of dancers and musicians weave tap and flamenco traditions into a breathtakingly electric montage of speed, rhythm and song. Boston Opera House 539 Washington Street, Boston For more information, visit www.worldmusic.org or call 617-876-4275.

Body Against Body returns to Jones’s roots with a repertory program that revives the duets and solos that launched Jones and the late Arnie Zane, his partner and collaborator of 17 years. Some of the most significant examples of postmodern performance, these athletic pieces helped redefine the duet form and will now be reconsidered for the company’s current dancers. Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston Purchase tickets at www.icaboston.org.

February 5

Tony Bennett

February 17

February 25

The Gipsy Kings introduced the world to Rumba Gitano — the sound of South America’s rumba rhythm married to flamenco guitars. Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre Tickets are $45-$125. For more information, visit www.citicenter.org/kings or call 866-3489738.

Exceptional flamenco dancers and a sensational band of musicians and virtuoso singers come together in this new production from legendary flamenco guitarist Paco Peña. Packed with intensity, depth and raw energy, Flamenco Vivo captures all the passions of present-day flamenco and reflects on the enormous power and draw the art form has had throughout history. Somerville Theatre 55 Davis Square, Somerville For more information, visit www.worldmusic.org or call 617-876-4275.

February 18-20

February 25-26

Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo

Paco Peña Flamenco Company, performing the Boston premiere of Flamenco Vivo

Don’t miss 15-time Grammy winner and international treasure Tony Bennett. Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre For more information, visit www.citicenter. org/bennett or call 866-348-9738.

February 11-13

Shen Yun Performing Arts

Doug Varone and Dancers, performing the Boston premiere of Chapters from a Broken Novel

Experience classical Chinese dance and music in gloriously colorful and exhilarating shows. An art form several millennia old, Chinese dance is refreshingly dynamic and expressive. Ancient legends and heroic figures come to life through its leaps, spins, and delicate gestures. Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre Tickets are $60-$165. For more information, visit www.citicenter.org/shenyun or call 866-348-9738.

February 12

Throat Singers of Tuva: Huun Huur Tu

From the independent republic of Tuva, bordering Mongolia, Huun Huur Tu perform an eartwisting vocal technique called Khöömei. In this style, a single vocalist produces two or three notes simultaneously, often a low drone along with a high-pitched whistle. Accompanied by traditional string and percussion instruments, the four-member ensemble sings rhythmic songs that capture the magic of the Siberian steppe. Throat Singing Workshop with Huun Huur Tu Feb. 12 from 3-5 p.m. First Church in Cambridge Congregational 11 Garden Street, Cambridge For more information, visit www.worldmusic.org or call 617-876-4275.

Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles

Since its founding in 1986, the internationally celebrated Doug Varone and Dancers has commanded attention for its expansive vision, versatility and technical prowess. Varone’s kinetically thrilling dances make essential connections and mine the complexity of the human spirit. From the smallest gesture to fullthrottle bursts of movement, his work can literally take your breath away. The company, which has been honored with 11 Bessie Awards, will perform the Boston premiere of Chapters from a Broken Novel, a work created for eight dancers and set to music by composer David Van Tieghem. Free preperformance talk 45 minutes prior to performance with dance critic Debra Cash and free postperformance Q&A with the company Feb. 18. Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston 100 Northern Avenue, Boston For more information, visit www.worldmusic.org or call 617-876-4275.

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They look like them and they sound just like them! “The next best thing to seeing The Beatles,” raves the Denver Post. RAIN covers the Fab Four from the earliest beginnings through the psychedelic late 60s and their long-haired hippie, hard-rocking rooftop days. RAIN is a multi-media, multidimensional experience. Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre Tickets are $28-$73. For more information, visit www.citicenter.org/rain or call 866-348-9738.

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Cultural Calendar

March 11-13

Philadanco, performing the Boston premiere of By Way of the Funk and other works

February 27

Acoustic Africa featuring Habib Koité, Oliver Mtukudzi, Afel Bocoum

An exhilarating musical journey, Acoustic Africa brings together three of Africa’s great guitar masters. The performance features Habib Koité, the Malian superstar whose exciting concerts have endeared him to audiences worldwide; Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, the best-selling artist in his home country of Zimbabwe; and Afel Bocoum, a guitarist, singer and composer from Mali whose songs evoke the evolution of traditional Malian society. Somerville Theatre 55 Davis Square, Somerville For more information, visit www.worldmusic.org or call 617-876-4275.

March 3

2 Friends Tour featuring Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith

Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre Tickets are $35-$103. For more information, visit www.citicenter.org/2friends or call 866348-9738.

March 5

Alloy Orchestra, performing live to Metropolis

This magnificent new restoration of Metropolis utilizes 25 minutes of lost footage, not seen since the film’s premiere in 1928. The amazing sci-fi film was Alloy’s first silent movie score, originally composed in 1991, making Alloy Orchestra world famous. Alloy’s expanded score, with its signature junk percussion and soaring melodies, captures the classic film’s power and beauty. Somerville Theatre 55 Davis Square, Somerville For more information, visit www.worldmusic.org or call 617-876-4275.

Exhale • Winter 2011

March 9

Yasmin Levy

With a deep, spiritual and moving style, Yasmin Levy preserves and revives the most beautiful and romantic songs from the Ladino/JudeoSpanish tradition. Her powerfully sensual voice, which combines flamenco’s fiery passion with the microtonal melisma of Middle Eastern music, ripples across sashaying grooves built from hand percussion; Turkish-Arabic instruments such as the oud, ney and qanun; and Western standbys including acoustic guitar and bass. Somerville Theatre 55 Davis Square, Somerville For more information, visit www.worldmusic.org or call 617-876-4275.

Philadanco performs joyous and adventurous works with universal appeal that blend African American dance with ballet, jazz and modern dance. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the company will present the Boston premiere of By Way of the Funk, a new work by founder and artistic director of Urban Bush Women, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, set to the music of Funkadelic and Parliament, as well as other works. Free preperformance talk 45 minutes prior to performance with dance critic Debra Cash and free postperformance Q&A with the company March 11. Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston 100 Northern Avenue, Boston For more information, visit www.worldmusic. org or call 617-876-4275.

March 11-22

Boston Lyric Opera’s Agrippina

Agrippina wants her rotten son to be the Emperor of Rome. What’s a mother to do? She promises anything to everyone standing in her way: Nero himself, an ambitious courtesan, a general, a couple of fawning sycophants, and half the Roman Senate. Also her husband, current Emperor Claudius. The numbers are staggering. No, really. Handel’s music soars. Come delight in his fresh musical invention and some crazy, hothouse humanity. Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre Tickets are $34-$195. For more information, visit www.citicenter.org/agrippina or call 866-348-9738.

March 12

Brad Mehldau and Friends

March 11-April 10 Educating Rita

The Huntington Theatre Company presents Willy Russell’s comedy Educating Rita. Rita, a young, brash hairdresser, wants more out of life. With a newly discovered passion for English literature, she enrolls in the local university and meets her tutor, Frank, a middle-aged poet and professor. Her fresh, unschooled reactions to the classics cause him to question his own understanding of his work and himself in this warm and witty tale of selfdiscovery by Willy Russell (Shirley Valentine, Blood Brothers). Boston University Theatre Tickets are regularly $25 - $89. Use code EXHALE for $39/$25 tickets. For more information, call 617-266-0800 or visit www. huntingtontheatre.org.

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One of the foremost jazz pianists of his generation, Brad Mehldau performs the Boston premiere of his exciting and unique new work for two pianos, six winds and percussion. Featuring an all-star cast of world-renowned musicians, including pianist Timothy Andres, vocalist Becca Stevens, saxophonists Chris Cheek, Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Joris Roelofs, Sam Sadigursky and Greg Tardy, with additional artists to be announced, this new work continues Mehldau’s penchant for jazz exploration, classical romanticism and pop allure and builds on his ever-expanding body of compositional work. Sanders Theatre 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge For more information, visit www.worldmusic. org or call 617-876-4275.

March 15-20

The Select (The Sun Also Rises)

The first world war is over, but some battles still rage on. Elevator Repair Service (GATZ, Sound and the Fury) brings Hemingway’s novel to life on a stage littered with liquor bottles and cafe chairs, as the story winds its way through France and Spain. Paramount Mainstage 559 Washington Street, Boston

March 16

BCRF Hot Pink Party

Kick-off Party at David Yurman Copley Place with Mr. David Yurman from 6-8 p.m.

March 20

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

March 18 Dervish

Hailing from Ireland’s County Sligo, Dervish plays a sparkling brand of traditional Irish music filled with a freshness that holds proud and fast to its time-honored roots. Fronted by one of the finest traditional singers in Ireland today, Dervish features Cathy Jordan’s crystalline voice soaring above an intricate interplay of accordion, flute and fiddle. The band’s tight, soulful sound is locked down by the rhythms of the mandola, bodhrán and bouzouki, giving Dervish its springloaded energy. Somerville Theatre 55 Davis Square, Somerville For more information, visit www. worldmusic.org or call 617-876-4275.

With the power of gospel and the precision of Broadway, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is the undisputed king of mbube, South African acappella singing. The group came together in the early 1960s and continues to thrill audiences around the world with its strong,

March 26

Jeff Beck’s Rock & Roll Party with Imelda May and her Band

proud melodies, harmonized in layers of call and response. An annual favorite, Mambazo will be touring in support of their new recording, Songs from a Zulu Farm. Sanders Theatre 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge For more information, visit www.worldmusic.org or call 617-876-4275.

March 30

The Residents

For more than 40 years, the Residents have purposely remained a riddle, willfully shrouded in mystery and myth. Performing in disguise — usually tuxedos, top hats and giant eyeball masks — the band channels the breadth of American music into its idiosyncratic, satiric vision, continuing to expand the boundaries of theatrical performance and multimedia interaction. Somerville Theatre 55 Davis Square, Somerville For more information, visit www.worldmusic. org or call 617-876-4275.

March 23-April 3 Fragments

Peter Brook’s long awaited vision of Beckett’s FRAGMENTS illuminates the comedy and courage in Beckett’s characters who dare to face the void. Paramount Mainstage 559 Washington Street, Boston

March 24-April 3

The Grand Inquisitor

Dramatizing the famous passage from Dostoyevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” that imagines Jesus returning during the Spanish Inquisition, Peter Brook’s minimalist staging of the Inquisitor’s monologue is no less than a naked inquisition of our age and our answers to his questions. Paramount Black Box 559 Washington Street, Boston

Catch Jeff Beck as he brings the “Rock And Roll Party To Honor Les Paul” with Imelda May Band to Wang Theatre for one night only. Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre Tickets are $40-$95. For more information, visit www.citicenter.org/jeffbeck or call 866-348-9738.

March 29-April 10

The Merchant of Venice

Fresh from the hugely successful runs at the Royal Shakespeare Company in England and in New York, Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham is riveting in his performance of Shylock. Cutler Majestic Theatre 559 Washington Street, Boston Tickets start at $25 and are available at www. artsemerson.org. For more information, contact the box office at 617-824-8000 or by e-mail at tickets@artsemerson.org.

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Exhale â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2011

resource Directory CHOLESTEROL

HEALTHREsources

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health MedlinePlus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus American Heart Association

BLOOD PRESSURE National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/chdblack

http://www.heart.org Interactive Tools and Tutorials

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus Healthy Eating

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/chdblack

MedlinePlus

http://www.nlm.nih.gov Healthy Eating

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/chdblack/ cooking.pdf http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_ dash.pdf Alliance Foundation for Community Health/Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge

http://www.challiance.org Boston Medical Center

http://www.bmc.org Community Servings, Boston

http://www.servings.org Haitian Public Health Initiative, Boston

http://newroutes.org/haphi Hallmark Health Systems, Malden

http://www.hallmarkhealth.org Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, Dorchester

http://www.harvardstreet.org Massachusetts General Hospital

http://www.mgh.harvard.edu Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS), Boston

http://www.maps-inc.org

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resource Directory DIABETES Centers for Disease Control And Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/index.htm National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov Risk Tests for Diabetes

http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp http://www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu/ hccpquiz.pl?lang=english&func=home &quiz=diabetes Video: Blood sugar and insulin

Lynn Community Health Center

http://lchcnet.org YWCA of Greater Lawrence

http://www.ywcalawrence.org Massachusetts Community Health Services, Brockton

http://www.massleague.org Steppingstone Incorporated

http://www.steppingstoneinc.org Baystate Medical Center Comprehensive Breast Center, Springfield

http://www.mayoclinic.com

http://baystatehealth.com

African Americans and Diabetes

Gandara Center, Springfield

http://www.ndep.nih.gov

http://gandaracenter.org Holyoke Health Center, Springfield

http://www.hhcinc.org

CANCERREsources

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

http://www.komen.org Whittier Street Health Center, Roxbury

http://www.wshc.org YWCA Boston

http://www.ywcaboston.org

Girls who would like to change their eating habits, get some exercise, and have fun... Researchers at UMass Boston are looking for girls to participate in iTeen, a program that promotes healthy eating and physical activity. Participants will receive a free 4-month program followed by a 2-month Internet-based health education program. The program is held at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center.

YWCA Malden

http://www.ywcamalden.org Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc.

http://fhcw.org Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, Inc.

• Girls 11-13 • Must have Internet access • Caretaker willing to participate

http://www.glfhc.org Lowell General Hospital

http://www.lowellgeneral.org

Exhale • Winter 2011

For more information, call (617)287-7346 or iteen@umb.edu Find Boston iTeen on Facebook!

resource Directory Massachusetts Affiliate of

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

www.dana-farber.org/cervicalcancer

http://www.komenmass.org Mercy Medical Center, Springfield

http://mercycares.com North Adams Regional Hospital/Reach Community Health, North Adams

http://nbhealth.org Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Imaging at Berkshires Medical Center, Pittsfield

http://www.berkshire healthsystems.org

National Cancer Institute

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/cervical Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical Prevent Cancer Foundation

http://preventcancer.org/education2c.aspx?id=1828 Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics

http://www.massgeneral.org/conditions/condition.aspx?ID=88&ty pe=conditions

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Brigham and Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital

http://www.dana-farber.org/pat/adult/breast-cancer

http://www.brighamandwomens.org

National Cancer Institute

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast MedlinePlus

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus Mayo Clinic

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-cancer/DS00328 Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

http://www.massgeneral.org Risk assessment of breast cancer

http://www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool Siteman Cancer Center

http://www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu American Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.org 800-ACS-2345 (227-2345) 617-565-7400 National Cancer Institute

http://www.cancer.gov 800-4-CANCER (422-6237) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/index.htm

CERVICAL CANCER American Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer

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resource Directory COLORECTAL CANCER

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/getactive/index.html

American Cancer Society

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/measuring/index. html

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/index Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/health/index.html

http://www.dana-farber.org/pat/adult/ gastrointestinal-cancer/default.html

Videos for Strength Training

National Cancer Institute

Strength Training for Older Adults

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal 800-4-CANCER MedlinePlus

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/coloncancer/htm/ index.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/videos/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/growingstronger/index.html Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

http://www.dana-farber.org/can/monthly-spotlights/cancer-andexercise American Heart Association

http://www.heart.org

Tutorials Colonoscopy

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/colonoscopy/htm/ index.htm http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colonoscopy/MM00010 Digestive System

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/digestive-system/DG00021

EXERCISE

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/index. html

Exhale â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2011

Mayo Clinic

http://www.mayoclinic.com The Basics of Exercise

http://www.myexerciseplan.com/assessment

Women Organizations resource Directory Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts serves more than 45,000 girls ages 517 and 17,000 adult volunteers in the 178 communities we serve in Eastern Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.hergirlscouts.org or call 888-9-Girl Scout.

Healthworks Foundation The Healthworks Foundation is dedicated to providing high-quality fitness opportunities for women and children in Boston’s lowincome communities to prevent and treat lifestyle-related chronic illness and promote overall health and well-being. The Foundation also partners with community health centers and other nonprofit organizations in the Greater Boston region, which address the needs of women and children in the areas of health, wellness and athletics; violence prevention and survival; and economic empowerment through financial contributions and volunteer efforts. For more information, please visit www.healthworksfoundation.org.

and an annual, city-wide, Stand Against Racism Day. YWCA provides housing for single women at its Berkeley Residence. To learn more about YWCA Boston, please visit www.ywcaboston.org or follow the organization on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Young Black Women’s Society The Young Black Women’s Society, Inc. (YBWS) leads and empowers women and girls of color, helping them to develop their personal and professional lives by providing tools and access through social activities, professional development, civic engagement, leadership development and mentoring. YBWS currently has 70 active members from the Greater Boston Area, ranging from ages 24-44 years old, representing a wide variety of professions and industries. For more information, please visit www.ybws.org or email info@ybws.org.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Massachusetts The Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is committed to 100 percent screening and 100 percent access to care for all in the Commonwealth. At this time education, screening and treatment are the best tools we have to reduce mortality from breast cancer. We are focused on meeting the needs of those who are underserved and/or lacking insurance. Our success is made possible through the passion, dedication and generosity of our many supporters. To learn more, please visit www.komenmass.org.

The women’s center The Women’s Center is a community resource, to be used and contributed to by as many women as possible. The Center’s goals are to foster empowerment and social justice in a multicultural space that is safe, warm, respectful and comforting to all women and their children. We strive to provide healing opportunities; celebrate women’s voices, victories and survival; and encourage women to become advocates for themselves and others. To learn more, please visit us at 46 Pleasant Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 or www.cambridgewomenscenter.org.

YWCA Founded in 1866, YWCA Boston is America’s first YWCA. For more than 140 years, YWCA Boston has worked to eliminate racism and empower women. Today’s YWCA provides critical services in the community. They include mobile health and wellness education for women and girls; breast cancer survivor support; adult interracial community dialogues; youth/police dialogues; and financial literacy programs for women. YWCA Boston sponsor’s Boston’s Academy of Women Achievers

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