Exhale Magazine

Spring/Summer 2010

“Believe it to achieve it” The mind plays an essential role in overall health

YOU GOTTA FIGHT Susannah Sirkin balances family life with her fight for global human rights

Second tonone

Whittier Street’s Frederica Williams is making quality health care accessible in the Roxbury community

Vitamin D May Help in the Fight Against Cancer Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Latoyia Edwards Neighborhood pride

Exhale • Spring 2010

Exhale • Spring 2010

Contents Health Matters

Read up on important health information for women that could save your life.

Cervical Cancer 7

Doctor’s point of view

9

Five things every woman should know about breast cancer

10

Diabetes:

12

Nothing sweet about ‘the sugar’

Vitamin D Fitness and Nutrition

18

You can’t have one without the other.

“Believe it to achieve it”

May help in the fight against cancer, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Whittier Street Frederica Williams is making quality health care accessible in the Roxbury community

33

26

Exhale • Spring 2010

Kim Kennedy

You Gotta Fight!

Susannah Sirkins balances family life with her fight for global human rights

28

Managing Modern Relationship

44

Quick Get-A-Ways: Massachusetts getaways Roxbury International Film Festival Q&A with Lisa Simmons

Events Calendar

52

Resource Directory Healthy Recipes from the American Heart Association

Photography by

Cancer-recovery recipes from Rebecca Katzl 23

Keeping it Real:

Second tonone

16

36

Front cover: Neighborhood pride Latoyia Edwards

46

50

58

ger pbell is ea Sara Cam signs that e to create d stomers to u c r e allow h l everyday. feel specia

39

Summer Accessories

40

The

mission of

Exhale

Is to offer a unique perpective on the urban lifestyle for women today. Exhale focuses on the intersecting issues around health and wellness for ourselves and our families; community and culture; fashion and personal style; and, the struggles and rewards of juggling all of the facets of our fast paced lifestyles. We care about our style, and we also care about contributing to our communities . All of these issues converge to inform and celebrate the rich and varied lives of women today.

Volume 1 • Number 2 • Spring/Summer 2010 Sandra Casagrand Publisher Howard Manly Executive Editor Karen Miller Health Editor Walter Waller Executive Creative Director Joshua Falkenburg Graphic Designer Noor Yamani Graphic Design Intern Contributing Writers Sandra Larson Bridgit Brown Liza Weisstuch Proofreaders Rachel Edwards Caitlin Yoshiko-Buysse Sandra Larson Christine McCall Shelly Runyon Exhale is a biannual magazine distributed throughout the Greater Boston region. If your organization would like to receive copies of the magazine, please send your request to sandra@bannerpub.com.

For advertising opportunities in our Fall 2010 issue of Exhale, please contact Sandra Casagrand at 617-261-4600 ext. 111. Media kits are available on our Web site at http://www.exhalelifestyle.com Send letters to the editor to sandra@bannerpub.com.

Exhale is published by Banner Publications Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright 2010.

23 Drydock Avenue, Boston, MA 02210

Exhale • Spring 2010

Spring

is finally here and the

feeling of optimism has returned. After enduring a bleak winter and an even bleaker economy it is time to celebrate the joyful little things in life – like reading a great story about interesting people.

We are excited to bring to you our second issue of Exhale – which you may notice is almost twice the size of our first issue! We are able to bring you more stories and have added some new features such as travel and our cultural calendar section. The three women that we profile in this issue all have fascinating stories to tell about how they balance the intersecting issues of their careers, family life, health and wellness and their communities. They provide an interesting road map on how to travel today’s fast paced lifestyle, successfully.

Enjoy !

Photo by Lolita Parker

Exhale • Spring 2010

Health Matters Cervical Cancer

Making HPV ‘one less’ problem Brittany Wilson-Guillermo (right) was not shy in talking to her mother, Tahira, about Gardasil.

They both agreed that the vaccination was a wise decision in preventing cervical cancer.

A

s conversations go between mothers and daughters, this topic had a family tradition.

The topic was sex and as Tahira Wilson-Guillermo, a longtime schoolteacher, tells the story, her mother’s mother unknowingly started the tradition. A devoted Jehovah’s Witness, Tahira’s grandmother believed that you just did not discuss such things and would not have such talk in her house.

The lack of openness had an unintended consequence. Tahira’s mother — the grandmother’s daughter — couldn’t wait to have open and honest talks about sex with her daughter. Because of their close relationship, Tahira, in turn, couldn’t wait to pass that tradition down to her own daughter.

It was of little surprise then when Tahira and her daughter Brittany, then a junior at Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, were watching television together and saw an advertisement for Gardasil, a vaccination designed to prevent cervical cancer.

“I want to be one less patient,” said a voice on the ad. “‘One less family turned upside down,’ ‘one less statistic,’ ‘one less sister,’ ‘one less friend whose life might be affected by cervical cancer.’”

The provocative ad prompted an almost immediate mother-daughter talk that covered some well-traveled ground on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of them, and while it is common and includes about 100 different types — 80 percent of which are relatively harmless — a handful of the viruses are the leading cause of the majority of cervical cancer cases in the United States.

The ad “caught our attention,” Tahira said. “And Brittany seemed interested. So I asked her to talk with me about that.”

HPV strains “ 16 and 18 are responsible for 70 percent of all cervical cancers.

”

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

Health Matters Cervical Cancer

B

rittany did and took the conversation a step further. “She told me that she wanted to have the vaccine,”Tahira said, “and that she would talk with her doctor about it during her next visit.”

Their conversation mirrored a national conversation on HPV and what exactly should be done to combat the cancer-causing viruses. It is estimated that over 6 million people across the country are infected each year.

More than 50 percent of people who have had sex will at some point have the virus and the majority of those people will be between 15 and 25 years old.

For the most part, HPV infections are harmless and disappear within a few years. But HPV strains 16 and 18 are responsible for 70 percent of all cervical cancers, while HPV strains 6 and 11 are the cause of 90 percent of genital warts.

Although HPV is the single most important risk factor for cervical cancer, other characteristics, such as smoking, HIV infection and chlamydia, have an impact.

For her part, Brittany said she was aware of the link between HPV and cervical cancer from sex education classes in the ninth and 10th grades. But what had a greater immediate impact was the television ad touting Gardasil.

She had already had two of the required three shots and was scheduled to have the third.

Brittany said she had no reservations about receiving the vaccine. “You’re glad when you have it because you’re protected,” she said.

Though it is possible to prevent exposure to HPV by delaying sexual intercourse, limiting the number of sexual partners and avoiding sex with people who have had several sexual partners, those methods are not totally foolproof. Neither is the use of condoms; the virus can spread through contact with unprotected skin.

One effective way is Gardasil, as of now the only federally approved vaccination against HPV. Studies have shown it was effective in blocking 99 percent of the transmission of HPV 16 and 18, as well as HPV 6 and 11, the strains responsible for 90 percent of genital warts.

• • • • • •

• • •

• •

Risk Factors

HPV infections Lack of regular Pap tests HIV infection Weakened immune system Age – cervical cancer is more common in women over the age of 40 Sexual history – sex at a young age; sex with multiple partners; sex with a man who has had multiple partners Smoking – cigarette smoke contains chemicals that damage the body’s cells Chlamydia infection and other sexually transmitted diseases Family history – cervical cancer may run in some families Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth Long-term use of birth control pills

However, HPV 16 and 18 account for only 70 percent of cases of cervical cancer. Roughly 30 percent are caused by HPV types not covered by the vaccine.

Therefore, Gardasil is not a substitute for routine cerrical cancer screening.

So far, Gardasil has received blue-ribbon support.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel of experts chosen by the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for their expertise on vaccine-preventable diseases, recommends routine vaccination with Gardasil for females aged 1112 and as young as nine. If not administered by the age of 12, catch-up vaccination is recommended for females aged 13-26. The vaccine is not currently recommended for females over the age of 26.

Although the recommended young age is alarming

signs & symptons

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding (between periods, after sex or pelvic exam, after menopause) • Increased vaginal discharge • Pain in the pelvis • Pain during sex Early or pre-cancers of the cervix usually have no signs or symptoms.

Symptoms generally occur when the cancer has advanced and invaded nearby tissue.

Exhale • Spring 2010

to some, many doctors and medical experts believe that Gardasil is most effective when administered to females before they engage in sexual intercourse and exposure to HPV. National survey data indicate that 40 percent of girls in this country have had sex by the age of 16.

Although the federal government recommends vaccination with Gardasil, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has not as yet mandated it. However, the vaccine is available through MassHealth, the federally funded Vaccines for Children Program, and most private insurers and health maintenance organizations.

Gardasil is not without its critics. Dr. Sarah Feldman, a gynecological oncologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said the vaccine is clearly promising, but it remains to be seen whether results from long-term studies will support its potential wonder-drug status.

Initial tests were done on only 25,000 women around the world, and on none between the ages of 9 and 12. In addition, Dr. Feldman pointed out, the vaccine protects against only some of the cancerous HPV types — not all of the estimated dozen or so.

The concern, Dr. Feldman explains, is the potential that women who receive the vaccine will have a false sense of security.

“It’s not the cure-all that people think,” Dr. Feldman cautioned. “We don’t know how safe it really is. We don’t know how long it will last. More testing is needed because many women will feel they are protected but that is not necessarily the case.”

That national debate was playing out inside the decision-making process of Rosario Sanchez. She was 26 years old and at the edge of being too old to receive the series of Gardasil shots.

Sanchez didn’t want her real name to be used.

“I was concerned that the research on Gardasil was still ongoing,” she said. “It made me think that the final results were not available.”

Curious, she did her own research, and received comfort when she learned that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had studied Gardasil for years and had recommended its usage.

She admits that it was a difficult decision, but decided to schedule an appointment this October to receive the vaccine.

“I was teetering,” she said, readily conceding that part of her anxiety was due to cultural reasons. “In Latina culture,” she explained, “things are swept under the rug.

You do not talk about sex. I could never have had this conversation with my grandmother.”

And the clock was ticking. At 26, her eligibility to receive the shots ended with her next birthday. “I needed to be proactive,” she said. “This was something that I could do for my health. Getting the vaccine would give me one less thing to think about.” And when the time is right, she might start a family tradition of her own.

Content provided by Be Healthy, Banner Publication Inc.

Health Matters

A doctor’s point of view Laura Holland, M.D.

Women’s Health Program Whittier Street Health Center

W

hile researchers and physicians have made significant strides in battling breast cancer and developing new treatments to help patients live longer, healthier lives, the deadly disease continues to strike a large number of women throughout the world.

Though both women and men have the potential to develop breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, it is 100 times more likely for a woman to be diagnosed with breast cancer than a man, and one out of eight women will develop the disease in her lifetime. Given these statistics, it is important for every woman to understand her individual risks of developing breast cancer and to be aware of preventive measures she can take to minimize her risk.

A woman’s risk for developing breast cancer increases with age; most women with the disease are over the age of 50. In addition, women with a family history of breast cancer as well as certain genetic mutations are at increased risk.

Women who begin menstruation at an early age or experience menopause after age 55 are more prone to develop the disease.

“Every woman faces different risks for developing breast cancer, which depend on her genetic makeup and lifestyle choices,” said Laura Holland, M.D., a gynecologist in the Unlike most breast cancers, inflammatory Women’s Health Program at Whittier Street Health Center. “Although a woman cannot breast cancer doesn’t appear as a lump, change her genetic makeup, there are things that she can do to decrease her risk of getting but looks more like an infection or inflamthe disease, and there are measures she can take to detect breast cancer at an early stage. mation. Advanced cases of other types of I tell all of my patients that they should get annual mammograms after the age of 40. I breast cancer may share similar symptoms. also instruct them on how to perform self breast examinations, and instruct them on the benefits of leading a healthy life.”

• One breast larger than the other For instance, a high intake of fat in the diet and alcohol consumption in excess of • Red or pink skin one to two glasses per day may increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Those who • Swelling have prolonged exposure to the hormone estrogen, either naturally or as a hormonal replacement, should also be aware of their increased risk of breast cancer.

• Rash (on entire breast or in small patches) Though the chances for developing breast cancer are much less likely for men than • Orange-like texture of skin of breast women, men share similar symptoms, such as a lump or thickening of the breast or (peau d’orange) changes in the nipple or skin of the breast. Breast cancer that has spread can produce • Skin hot to the touch bone pain, weakness and weight loss.

• Pain and/or itchiness Each person’s treatment plan will depend on her diagnosis and recommendations from her physician. Breast cancer treatments may include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery • Ridges or thickened areas of breast in varying combinations. If surgery is necessary, a woman may receive either a lumpectomy • Nipple discharge — the removal of a lump in the breast — or a mastectomy, the removal of the entire breast.

• Nipples that appear inverted or flattened Since it is possible for the cancer to spread to other parts of the body even after • Swollen lymph nodes under the armpit treatment, it is imperative to build a relationship with your primary care physician in order or in the neck to maintain a regular follow-up schedule. Keep your doctor informed about any symptoms Source: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center or changes that may occur in your health.

“Primary care physicians serve as an important resource to patients when it comes to questions about breast cancer and all issues related to their general health,” said Holland.

Signs and Symptoms

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

Health Matters

thingsevery womanshould

Five

knowabout breastcancer.

1

If a woman does not have breast cancer in her family, does that mean she will not get breast cancer?

2

Joseph R. Betancourt, M.D. Director of the Disparities Solutions Center, Massachusetts General Hospital

3

Family history — having a first-degree relative, such as a mother or sister, with breast cancer — is an important risk factor. But women with no family history can still get it. Approximately 70 percent to 80 percent of women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of it.

Do all breast cancers start with a lump?

A lump on the breast is one of several signs that a woman may have breast cancer. A new lump or mass on the breast or armpit is the most common sign of breast cancer, but it is not the only sign. Other signs include a change in the breast or nipple, such as irritation or puckering (that looks like an orange), or non-milk fluid from the nipple.

Why is the death rate for breast cancer higher in blacks? What can black women do to improve survival rates?

In the United States, although more white women are diagnosed with breast cancer than black women, more black women die from the disease. Research suggests breast cancer may not be found early enough in African American women because of unavailability of, or reluctance to get, mammograms. Some patients may not receive the proper treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer. It is important for women, beginning at the age of 40, to have a yearly breast exam and mammogram. It is equally important to follow up if tests show abnormal results. Taking these steps will greatly increase the chance of detecting the cancer early and decreasing its likelihood of spreading.

5

4

Is breast cancer curable?

If the cancer is detected early enough, it can be successfully treated. When detected early, breast cancer-related deaths can be reduced by 30 percent. Treatments vary and include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. The most effective way to cure breast cancer is to catch it early and begin proper treatment.

Are mammograms harmful? Can they cause cancer?

A mammogram, an X-ray of the breast, is an easy and safe tool for detecting cancer. The amount of radiation that a patient is exposed to during a mammogram is minimal and not great enough to cause cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, even if a woman had yearly mammograms from the age of 40 to 90, she will have received a very low cumulative dosage of radiation. Mammography exams are the most effective tool for detecting cancer even before the appearance of signs such as a lump.

10

Exhale • Spring 2010

Health Matters Diabetes

No

es: bet Dia

Sharon Molden’s love for shoes keeps her focused on minimizing the impact of type 2 diabetes.

thi

ng

et

e sw

he

t ‘t

ou

ab

ar’

sug

“ Type 2 diabetes is

arguably the single greatest epidemic that we will face this century.

” — Dr. David Nathan

12

Exhale • Spring 2010

A

large part of Sharon Molden didn’t want to believe she had diabetes.

She had all of the risks.

It wasn’t until she turned 40 years old that she started to take seriously her doctor’s warnings. It wasn’t until four years later, when her diabetes grew from borderline status to the full-blown package, that Molden’s sense of denial surrendered to a stronger sense of staying alive.

The final straw came one night when she was driving southbound on Interstate 93 from Boston to her home in East Taunton. All of a sudden, her vision became fuzzy.

The only thing she could see, and that was barely, were the red taillights of vehicles ahead, and those red spots were shaped in a pattern that resembled a Christmas tree.

“Everything was blurry,” Molden recalled. “I was alone and driving a car and I couldn’t see. I couldn’t even see the license tags in front of me. I could have killed someone.”

Or herself.

In a sense, her denial in having one of the industrialized world’s most deadly diseases underscores a silent reality — of all the diseases, diabetes is the least understood and respected.

Health Matters Diabetes Dr. David Nathan, director of the Diabetes Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, doesn’t sugarcoat what he considers an “enormous epidemic.”

“Type 2 diabetes is arguably the single greatest epidemic that we will face this century,” he said.

He is not exaggerating.

According to the American Diabetes Association, almost 21 million people in this country have diabetes. Roughly 6 million of them are unaware that they have it. Type 2 diabetes is the most common.

What’s worse is that many experts maintain that the death rate from diabetes is vastly undercounted. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Yet, diabetes is a significant risk factor in cardiovascular disease, the nation’s number one killer.

Unlike heart disease, cancer and other lifethreatening illnesses, which are decreasing in number, the incidence of diabetes is rising. Dr. Nathan estimates 1.5 million new cases a year.

“Diabetes is a growth industry,” Dr. Nathan said. “Even without considering how many people the disease kills every year, it causes misery for those still alive.”

Fortunately for Molden that night on the highway, she was able to pull over to the side of the road. She made it home, but it marked the last time that she would ignore her blood sugar level.

It was a long time in coming.

Molden’s mother died six months ago.

“I watched,” Molden said, “what had been a seemingly very healthy black woman have five strokes, lose vision in one eye and hearing in one ear. She was often very disoriented. She lost toes on both feet.”

Her kidneys failed four years ago. From then on, it was a dialysis machine three times a week.

Because of her age and medical complications, she was not a candidate for a kidney transplant.

Nor was the rest of her body able to cope.

“We would find her unconscious at the dialysis center,” Molden said. “Her veins had become very weak and she was unable to support all the treatments. She eventually just gave up.”

Bolden was back and forth to her hometown in Dallas Texas. While there, her family agreed to sign an order that instructed doctors not to resuscitate their mother if she fell unconscious again.

The official cause of death was listed as complications due to diabetes and hypertension.

Molden has vowed to take control of her own diabetes.

“I’m going to keep going,” she said. “I have to

make myself get up and fight this.”

In type 2 diabetes, the body either does not make enough insulin, or does not effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, a small thin gland situated beneath the stomach. Insulin plays a major role in the absorption of glucose into the cells of the body.

Glucose, or sugar, is produced when we digest certain foods, especially carbohydrates, and

RISK FACTORS ● Obesity

Excess fat, especially if deposited around the waist, increases the risk of diabetes.

● Lack of exercise and inactivity

Activity controls your weight, allows your muscles to use more glucose, and makes your cells more sensitive to insulin.

● Family history

Your risk of type 2 diabetes increases if members of your family also have the disease.

● Age

Diabetes generally increases with age, but is now seen more frequently in children and adolescents.

● Gestational diabetes

Women who develop gestational diabetes — a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy — have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially if they give birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds.

● Race

Diabetes is more common in blacks, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. More than 13 percent of all African Americans have diabetes.

provides fuel for the body. Just as cars run on gas, our bodies run on glucose. There’s a small hitch glucose cannot enter the cells without help from insulin. The cells are “locked” but insulin is the key, allowing the glucose to enter. Without the assistance of insulin, sugar builds up in the blood.

For reasons not fully understood, a high concentration of sugar in the blood can cause long-term complications. Nerve damage can result in tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and feet. Eye damage, or retinopathy, is common. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults, and is a contributing factor to cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack, stroke, and hypertension. Infections, especially of the gums, feet, kidneys, and bladder, are possible. More than 60 percent of non-traumatic amputations of the lower limb occur in people with diabetes.

Diabetes is also a precursor to kidney damage, or nephropathy. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Diabetes is also the leading cause of erectile dysfunction.

Also on the rise is the incidence of prediabetes, a condition in which the blood glucose is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It is estimated that more than 50 million people in this country have prediabetes. Having pre-diabetes does not make you immune to the complications of diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are already at increased risk for heart disease and stroke.

The risk factors of type 2 diabetes are many — obesity, especially excess weight around the waist, inactivity, age, race, and family history. Diabetes occurs more frequently in people over the age of 45; however, it is becoming more common in children, partly fuelled by obesity and lack of activity. Race is a significant factor. Although diabetes is increasing in all races, the incidence in non-whites, including blacks, Hispanics and Asian Americans, is roughly twice that in whites.

Genetics plays a role as well. An international team of scientists recently identified several genes that are linked to type 2 diabetes, according to a recent online article in the journal Nature. Locally, several institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital, are performing research on the genes controlling diabetes.

The good news is that type 2 diabetes is largely preventable, a significant finding of the Diabetes Prevention Program, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

The trial determined that the illness can be delayed or prevented by implementing three exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

13

Health Matters Diabetes strategies — losing five to seven percent of body weight if overweight; being physically active for 30 minutes a day, five days a week; and eating healthier foods and in smaller portions. Those with pre-diabetes in particular can avoid the disease by implementing this lifestyle change.

Molden considers herself blessed that she agreed to be involved with Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes), a study at Massachusetts General Hospital designed to examine the impact of lifestyle changes on diabetes. The study is sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

There were nights when she couldn’t sleep.

She was so thirsty. She was back and forth to the bathroom, and her mouth was so dry that when she would finally get to sleep, she would awake with her tongue practically glued to the roof her mouth.

Her blood sugar level was at 300. The safe zone is 110.

Oral medications were out four years ago, and

14

Exhale • Spring 2010

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ✦ Increased thirst and frequent urination

✦ Fatigue and weakness ✦ Weight fluctuations ✦ Blurred vision

✦ Sores that are slow to heal or frequent infections

✦ Red, swollen, tender gums

✦ Tingling or loss of feeling in hands or feet

Some people have no symptoms, so screening is important, especially if you have risk factors.

she started insulin injections.

Throughout her struggle, Molden has maintained her strong sense of Southern humor.

At 5’2” and 220 pounds, she has had little choice.

“When people would tell my parents that they had a big, healthy baby, they weren’t lying,” she said.

For her height, she should weigh about 120 pounds.

Molden knows she must lose weight and watch her diet.

She has a great motivation.

“I have to stay on top of my diabetes,” she said. “I check my feet every day. I have 400 pairs of shoes and I don’t want to lose a single toe.”

Dr. Nathan had another motivation.

“If I were African American,” he said, “I would treat diabetes like a bigot and try to fight back twice as hard.”

Content provided by Be Healthy, Banner Publication Inc.

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

15

Health Matters Vitamin D

How Dana-Farber scientists are expanding knowledge of this promising nutrient

Vitamin D is well known for helping the body maintain healthy bones and controlling calcium and phosphate levels. Some studies suggest that higher blood levels of vitamin D can also lessen the chance of developing various cancers, or improve outcomes in patients already diagnosed with them. Although investigators have looked at breast, colorectal, pancreatic, prostate, and other cancers, the evidence in favor of vitamin D appears strongest in colorectal and other digestive system cancers.

“I think the health benefits of vitamin D are quite compelling,” says Dana-Farber Cancer Institute physician-scientist Charles Fuchs, MD, MPH. “It’s probably premature to say we know for a fact that vitamin D is both preventive and improves cancer survival.

But the data is certainly strongly supportive – especially in digestive system cancers.”

As the debate continues, public awareness of vitamin D is growing. “The patients and survivors we see are far more informed about their risk of vitamin D deficiency than in the past,” notes dietitian Stephanie Meyers, MS, RD/LDN, of Dana-Farber/ Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center. “Many are now asking whether they should have their blood levels checked or take supplements.” Physicians can use a blood test to measure how much vitamin D is in your body.

Most Americans have inadequate vitamin D levels -- and rates are falling, according to Fuchs. Among the groups especially prone to shortages are older adults, people with dark skin, overweight individuals, people living in places with less sunlight, such as the Northeastern United States, and patients taking certain medications for cancer treatment. Because food isn’t a great source of vitamin D (adults would have to drink about 10 glasses of milk to get the suggested daily amount) and too much sun exposure can damage skin, many experts recommend taking vitamin D supplements.

Exploring Potential New Benefits

Vitamin D plays a role in regulating various cell functions; it may discourage cell growth, encourage normal cell death and differentiation, and hinder the growth of blood vessels that feed tumors. It also supports immune function and helps reduce inflammation.

16

Exhale • Spring 2010

Vitamin D May Help in the Fight Against Cancer

How to Get Enough Vitamin D

When the sun’s ultraviolet rays hit the skin, it triggers the production of Vitamin D. You can also get the nutrient from certain foods (such as fortified dairy products and oily fish), and in dietary supplements.

With millions of people around the world facing low vitamin D levels, Dana-Farber nutritionists offer some tips for boosting yours:

Food sources. Vitamin D-rich foods include salmon, sardines, tuna, cod liver oil, and vitamin D-fortified orange juice, milk, yogurt, and cereals.

Dietary supplements. A total daily intake of 1,000 International Units (IUs) is good for adults who do not get enough sun exposure. People with vitamin D deficiencies may need more until their levels rise. It’s important to discuss the best dose for you with your doctor. For children and adolescents, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends taking in 400 IUs a day.

Sun exposure. Some health professionals suggest getting a modest amount of sun exposure (around 15 minutes daily) to raise vitamin D levels, while others warn against such an approach, due to the increased risk of skin cancer for some people. Ask your doctor what’s recommended for you.

Watch your weight. Vitamin D is stored in body fat, and being overweight is associated with lower blood levels of the nutrient.

Visit www.dana-farber.org/community to find more tips on preventing cancer and taking control of your cancer risk.

At Dana-Farber and Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, researchers are helping illuminate how vitamin D may play a beneficial role in colorectal cancer, health disparities and overall disease prevention. Among their projects:

Colorectal cancer survival: Working with Fuchs and others,

Dana-Farber’s Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, is exploring the potential impact of vitamin D on cancer patients. A study she co-led found that colorectal cancer patients with the highest vitamin D levels in their blood were 48 percent less likely to die (from any cause) than those with the lowest vitamin D measurements.

“Previous research has shown that high blood levels of vitamin D seem to be associated with a 50-percent decreased risk of developing colon and rectal cancer,” says Ng. “There has been less data on how vitamin D status affects survival in people who already have cancer. That’s where we’re trying to advance the field.”

Health disparities: Studies show that black people have much

lower vitamin D blood levels than whites, largely because darker skin hampers one’s ability to synthesize the nutrient from the sun’s rays. Scientists say vitamin D deficiency could explain blacks’ higher rates of colorectal and other cancers, particularly in the Northeast.

Dana-Farber’s Karen Emmons, PhD, is co-leading a study in Boston to help determine the ideal vitamin D doses needed to prevent cancer among blacks. “If we can determine that this population benefits from vitamin D, then supplements could be a low-cost way to potentially reduce their disease burden,” Emmons notes. “It’s not the only factor that must be addressed, but it could be an important part of a comprehensive strategy.”

Vitamin D may hold a key to understanding cancer risk and cancer disparities, and may play a role in cancer survival. “This is an exciting field,” Fuchs sums up.

This article was adapted from the article “The ABCs of Vitamin D” appearing in the Spring/Summer 2010 issue of Paths of Progress, a magazine highlighting advances in research and clinical care at DanaFarber Cancer Institute. For more information, go to www.dana-farber.org/pathsofprogress.

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

17

“Believe it to The mind plays an essential

Photography by Donald Rock photo@donrockphoto.com 18

Exhale • Spring 2010

achieve it” role in overall health

HealthAndFitness

by Leslie Salmon Jones

The idea is to become aware of the negative messages that are in the subconscious mind and then change them.

I

n a sense, Susanne Goldstein had lost her mojo.

Her mind still believed in changing the world, but her body was trapped in pain and self-doubt.

A severe neck injury required extensive surgery, and Goldstein, a dancer, faced another painful problem — fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by widespread tenderness and pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons. All too often, those suffering from the condition are depressed and lethargic.

By the time I met Susanne three years ago, this once vibrant person had lost faith. She was in a downward spiral of self-doubt fueled by negative self-talk.

Her belief at the time — and we joke about it now — was a feeling that she could never be the person she was and certainly not the person she wanted to become. She wanted her body and soul back, and needed help.

As a personal trainer and wellness coach for the last 15 years, I encouraged Susanne to take a few steps back, re-assess the roots of her discouragement and try to find solutions that allowed her to re-connect with not only her mind and body but also her soul. It might sound a little corny, but you really must “believe it to achieve it.”

In recent years “core” has been the buzzword in the fitness industry. In a technical sense, core refers to the deep muscles of your abdomen and back that help protect and stabilize the spine and improves balance and posture. Through my custom tailored programs combining functional training, yoga, dance and basic core strengthening, I have developed methods to help people achieve a strong core.

It starts inside the head. Research has shown a strong connection between one’s belief system and their physical state. The adage “mind over matter” isn’t just an overused expression, according to Dr. Bruce Lipton, author of the “Biology of Belief.” “The mind controls the genes, as opposed to your genes controlling your mind,” Dr. Lipson concludes.

In other words, it’s important to align our conscious mind with our subconscious mind. Let me give you an example.

In many cases, a person might want to lose weight, but their subconscious mind might work against that goal by whispering, “I’m too fat to lose weight.” These types of selfsabotaging negative messages can lead to unsuccessful results and, worse, possible injury.

The idea is to become aware of the negative messages that are in the subconscious mind and then change them. The good news is that the subconscious mind is like a tape recorder that can be re-recorded at any given moment. It’s not necessary to be a victim of our circumstances when we have the power within to change our overall state.

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

19

Positive Core, continued from page 20 HealthAndFitness

J

ust ask Susanne. “I’ll never be thin,” she frequently blurted out during initial workouts. “I’ll never be strong, I’ll never be the way I used to be.” It was that sort of thinking that was holding Susanne back. Right off the bat, I established one very clear rule — “no negative self talk allowed!” After doing some deep internal work, Susanne began to shift from negativity to positivity and accelerated her healing process.

With Susanne’s courage and determination — and after a few thoughtful sessions of working slowly and learning the intricacies of her physical challenges — it became evident that she was ready to rebuild her physical core.

This would provide the framework and foundation needed to regain her stability and confidence. That is exactly what Susanne did as she took control of her wellness and healing process and is now enjoying activities she wouldn’t dare dream three years ago.

This “new” fitness enthusiast now takes Kung Fu lessons twice a week, runs, bikes, hikes and sails in the summers.

Susanne attributes her successful wellness journey to a combination changing her mindset, exercising consciously and, most important, getting past the pain of the fibromyalgia after finding the right medication.

“Leslie, I found my core and I feel so powerful!” Susanne frequently told me. “I’m not perfect but I like what I see!”

And that’s the point. Always ask yourself how you can create a lasting happy and healthy lifestyle. Engage in conscious exercise, take a deep breath in and EXHALE!

20

Exhale • Spring 2010

The adage “mind over matter” isn’t just an overused expression, according to Dr. Bruce Lipton, author of the “Biology of Belief.”

For more information about Leslie Salmon Jones please visit her website, www.lesliesalmonjones.com Leslie’s Outfit: Run Energy pullover $99, All Out Tank $54, Groove Crop Pant $86 Susanne’s Outfit: Fun Time Jacket $88, Swift Tank $52, Groove Pant $86.

Outfits provided LuLu Lemon, www.Lululemon.com

Food & Nutrition

Look on the Sunny-

A cancer-recovery recipe from Rebecca Katz, author of “The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen” (Celestial Art, 2009).

WHO KNEW? Dehydration Most people think dehy-

dration only happens when you’re walking, running or sweating and don’t drink enough water. Actually, when you’re in treatment, you can get dehydrated without moving a muscle. Chemotherapy consumes protein like a V-8 Mustang goes through high-test gasoline.

When protein levels drop, fluids and nutrients get pulled out of the blood via osmosis (see, we knew high school biology would come in handy). Dehydration can lead to fatigue, cramps and worse. Vegans and people on macrobiotic diets need to be especially careful to get enough protein during treatment.

Reprinted with permission from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen: Nourishing, Big-Flavor Recipes for Cancer Treatment and Recovery. Copyright © 2009 by Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson, Celestial Arts, an imprint of Ten Speed Press and a division of the Crown Publishing Group, Berkeley, CA. Photo Credit: Leo Gong.

22

Exhale • Spring 2010

Side Up Easy Eggs in a Cup Baked or shirred (pronounced “sheared”) eggs have been around forever. In this recipe, baking eggs over a little sautéed spinach with some feta cheese and a shaving of nutmeg creates a dish that looks and tastes beautiful. Just the sight of these eggs nestled in colorful ramekins is enough to bring even the most reluctant eater back to the table.To further enhance the yum factor, serve topped with Basil Lemon Drizzle. Serves 4 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup finely diced red onion 1 teaspoon minced garlic 4 cups tightly packed baby spinach, washed and dried Sea salt Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 cup crumbled organic feta cheese (optional) 4 organic eggs Pinch of freshly ground pepper REBECCA’S NOTES To avoid a watery end product, make sure the spinach is well dried prior to adding it to the sauté pan. Spinach naturally gives off moisture when it cooks, so you don’t want to add even more by cooking it when it’s wet.A salad spinner works miracles on drying spinach quickly and efficiently. For a time-saver, buy prewashed organic bagged spinach from the market.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat, then add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds, then stir in the spinach and a pinch of salt and cook until wilted and tender, about another 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the nutmeg.

Lightly grease 4 small ramekins with olive oil. For each ramekin, spoon in one-fourth of the spinach mixture, then sprinkle on 1 tablespoon of the cheese. Gently crack 1 egg on top of the cheese, then sprinkle the pepper and a pinch of salt over all 4 ramekins.

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until very little liquid remains and moves around when you shake the ramekins.

Let cool for 3 minutes, then run a knife or an offset spatula around the inside edge of each ramekin to loosen the eggs. Using your knife or spatula to help support the eggs, carefully transfer to a plate and serve immediately.

PREP TIME: 10 minutes • COOK TIME: 20 minutes STORAGE: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days.

PER SERVING: Calories: 120;Total Fat: 8.5 g (2.1 g saturated, 4.4 g monounsaturated); Carbohydrates: 5 g; Protein: 7 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 185 mg

Orange Ginger Roasted Chicken Roasted chicken is such a staple for many people that I wanted to provide a zippy recipe that would avoid the all-too-frequent pitfall of bland, dry results.

Here, I’ve replaced the common rosemary-thyme rub with ginger, orange zest, and cinnamon, which are also appetite stimulants. Rubbing the spices under the skin, filling the cavity with more aromatics and orange juice, and then roasting the whole shebang makes for one moist, tasty bird! Drizzle with Moroccan Pesto or add a dollop of Apricot Pear Chutney. Serves 6 1 4 1/2- to 5-pound organic chicken 1 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 11/2 teaspoons sea salt 1 orange, zested and juiced, rind reserved 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, plus 1 finger-length piece of unpeeled fresh ginger, halved lengthwise 3 cloves garlic 2 cinnamon sticks REBECCA’S NOTES Leftovers, anyone? Using leftover roasted chicken will save time and add flavor to any recipe calling for roasted or shredded chicken, such as Curried Chicken Salad, Cozy Comfy Chicken and Rice, Lemony Greek Chicken Soup, and Thai It Up Chicken Soup, or as an addition to Hungarian Roasted Root Vegetable Potpie.

Use disposable kitchen gloves to handle the bird more easily and keep things sanitary.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Stir the paprika, coriander, and cinnamon together, then divide the mixture in half and stir 1 teaspoon of the salt into half. Rub the salted spice mixture all over

the outside of the chicken. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt inside the chicken.

With your palm facing downward, use your first three fingers to gently lift the skin on both sides of the breast to loosen it from the meat. Rub the remaining spice mixture, the orange zest, and grated ginger under the skin of each breast, massaging them lightly into the meat. Place the garlic, cinnamon sticks, ginger pieces, and orange rind inside the cavity along with half of the orange juice.

Place the chicken on a roasting rack in a glass or ceramic baking dish, breast side up. Roast until a meat thermometer reads 160°F when inserted in the thigh and the juice from the meat runs clear, about 1 hour.

Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. Just before serving, pour the remaining orange juice over the chicken.

Variations: Here are a few other spice blends for a tasty bird: • In place of the paprika, coriander, and cinnamon, use 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano.

• Replace the paprika with anise seeds.

• Replace the oranges with lemons, and in place of the paprika, coriander, and cinnamon, use 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon rosemary, and 1/4 teaspoon sage.

PREP TIME: 20 minutes • COOK TIME: 1 hour STORAGE: Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

PER SERVING: Calories: 215; Total Fat: 5.1 g (1.3 g saturated, 1.5 g monounsaturated); Carbohydrates: 4 g; Protein: 35 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 715 mg

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

23

SAVE $5 Offer expires 10/11/2010 • Code: EXH0769

South Boston MA, 02127 Call 617-464-2600

Food & Nutrition

Healthy Recipes Grilled CajunStyle Tilapia with Veggie Tartar Sauce

Nutrients per Serving Calories 197; Total Fat 10.5g; Saturated 2.5g; Trans 0.0g; Polyunsaturated 3.5g; Monounsaturated 4.5g; Cholesterol 62 mg; Sodium 181 mg; Carbohydrates 3g; Fiber 1g; Sugars 1g; Protein 2 3g Dietary Exchanges: 3 very lean meat, 2 fat

Serves 4 – 3 ounces fish and 2 tablespoons sauce per serving cooking spray veggie tartar sauce 1/4 cup light mayonnaise 2 tablespoons diced green bell pepper 2 tablespoons diced celery 1 tablespoon diced red onion 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

26

Exhale • Spring 2010

1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 4 tilapia fillets (about 4 ounces each), rinsed and patted dry 1 tablespoon olive oil Preheat the grill on medium high. Lightly spray a grilling rack for seafood, the rack of a broiler pan, or a 12-inch-square double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil with cooking spray. If using the foil, poke several holes with the tip of a sharp knife.

In a small bowl, stir together the tartar sauce ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

In another small bowl, stir together the chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and cumin.

Place the fish on a cutting board or other flat surface. Lightly brush half the oil over the tops.

Sprinkle about half the chili powder mixture over the fish. Using your fingertips, press the mixture so it adheres to the fish. Turn over. Repeat with the remaining oil and chili powder mixture.

Grill the fish for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until it flakes easily when tested with a fork. Serve with the tartar sauce.

All recipes are reprinted with permission from Healthy Soul Food, Copyright ©throughout Look for Healthy Soul Food at grocery-store checkouts nationwide

from the American Heart Association Warm Peach Bread Pudding

Hot-WingFlavored Chicken with Ranch Sauce Serves 4 – 3 ounces chicken and 2 tablespoons sauce per serving 2 tablespoons hot-pepper sauce, or to taste 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons olive oil 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 4 ounces each), all visible fat discarded vegetable oil spray 1 cup cornflake crumbs (about 2 cups flakes) 1/4 cup fat-free or light sour cream 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon dried dillweed, crumbled

In a large shallow bowl, stir together the hot-pepper sauce, lemon juice and olive oil.

Add the chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 8 hours, turning occasionally if longer than 30 minutes. Discard the marinade.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly spray

an 8-inch square baking pan with vegetable oil spray.

Put the cornflake crumbs on a plate.

Turn the chicken to coat both sides.

Transfer to the baking pan. Lightly spray the top of the chicken with vegetable oil spray. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the coating is crisp. Transfer to a serving plate.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Spoon the sauce over the chicken or use as a dipping sauce.

Tip: Hot-pepper sauce made from cayenne peppers (a bit milder) or Tabasco peppers works well. Let your heat tolerance be your guide.

Nutrition Analysis (per serving)

Calories 220; Total Fat 4.0g; Saturated 1.0g; Polyunsaturated 0.5g; Monounsaturated 2.0g; Cholesterol 69mg; Sodium 250mg; Carbohydrates 16g; Dietary Fiber 1g; Sugars 3g; Protein 29g

Dietary Exchanges 1 starch 3 very lean meat

2009 by the American Heart Association. Published by Publications International, Ltd. throughout the month of May, or while supplies last, and online at ShopPower.org

Serves 4 – 1 ramekin per serving vegetable oil spray 4 slices day-old reducedcalorie bread (whole-wheat or multigrain preferred), crust discarded, bread diced into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups) 2/3 cup fresh or frozen peaches, partially thawed, or fresh apple, such as McIntosh, Jonagold, or Golden Delicious, peeled, cut into bite-size pieces Whites of 2 large eggs, or 1 large egg 2 to 3 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar 12 ounces fat-free evaporated milk 1/2 ounce maple syrup 1/4 ounce dark rum, light rum, or bourbon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger (optional) 6 cups water 1/4 cup (about) fresh fruit or 1/4 cup fat-free or light frozen whipped topping, thawed, for garnish (optional) Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly spray four 5-ounce porcelain ramekins or glass custard cups with vegetable oil spray.

In a medium bowl, stir together the bread cubes and fruit. Spoon into the ramekins.

In a small bowl, gently whisk together the egg whites and brown sugar until well blended.

Gently whisk in the evaporated milk, maple syrup, rum, vanilla,

cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and ginger. Pour as much of the mixture as possible into the ramekins, making sure the bread cubes are soaked. Refrigerate for 10 minutes so the bread cubes will absorb the liquid.

Meanwhile, pour the water into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.

Arrange the ramekins in a large rectangular pan, such as a 13x9x2-inch baking dish, so they are evenly spaced, leaving at least 1 inch between ramekins. Place the pan in the oven. Slowly pour the hot water into the pan until about a third of the way up the sides of the ramekins, being careful to keep the water out of the ramekins.

Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the tip of a knife inserted in the center comes out almost clean and the custard is almost set (it should jiggle slightly in the center when gently shaken).

Very carefully remove the ramekins from the water bath and dry them off. Let cool on a cooling rack for 5 minutes.

Garnish with fresh fruit or whipped topping.

Nutrition Analysis (per serving)

Calories 189; Total Fat 1.0g; Saturated 0.0g; Polyunsaturated 0.5g; Monounsaturated 0.0 g; Cholesterol 4mg; Sodium 332mg; Carbohydrates 35g; Dietary Fiber 3g; Sugars 25g; Protein 11g

Dietary Exchanges 1 1/2 starch 1 skim milk

Exhale • Spring 2010

27

“

I don’t want to cry all day — but if I never cried I’d be worried. It’s a matter of balancing emotions, not blocking them.

”

Susannah Sirkin in PHR’s Cambridge office. (Sandra Larson photo)

YOU GOTTA FIGHT!

Susannah Sirkin balances family life with her fight for global human rights

By Sandra Larson

Susannah Sirkin, deputy director of Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), knows that her career doesn’t make for easy small talk.

“People will say, ‘What do you do? — Oh, human rights, that’s interesting. What exactly does that mean?’” she says. But they change the subject quickly when she drops words like torture and genocide. “It’s sort of a conversation stopper,” she admits wryly.

But for Sirkin, it’s a calling.

28

Exhale • Spring 2010

For the last 23 years years, this petite woman with a calm manner has organized and overseen PHR’s campaigns to investigate human rights violations around the world.

Sometimes she is on the scene, in places like Uganda, Kenya, Morocco, Haiti, Turkey and Sudan.

Other times she remains in the organization’s Cambridge headquarters, lending support from afar as her colleagues travel to remote areas to exhume mass graves or interview refugees.

Her own area of investigation has been sexual violence and systematic rape as a tool of war, most recently in Darfur, Sudan.

Catching up on work in the office on a recent Saturday, Sirkin, 55, took time out to talk about her work, her career path and how she balances her dedication to this important but grim work with raising a family and taking necessary respite for herself.

As a child, Sirkin was steeped in issues of poverty and human rights. Her father was a diplomat, and she spent her formative years in South India, where she helped her mother distribute food to hungry women and children, and in Greece, where she overheard conversations about her parents’ artist and writer friends imprisoned and tortured under the military dictatorship of the time.

In college, she studied French and political science with an eye toward an international career. She added a master’s degree in education and began teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Boston to refugees from strife-torn countries. In the evenings, she volunteered for an Amnesty International group in Cambridge. She rose through the volunteer ranks and accepted a job offer at Amnesty International’s New York City office.

“Once I started doing that work,” she says, “I realized [human rights work] was what I wanted to do

with the rest of my life.”

In 1987, when she was ready to return to Boston for personal reasons (her husband-to-be

lived here), PHR was just getting started. PHR founder and physician Jonathan Fine hired her, and the rest is history.

Susannah Sirkin of Physicians for Hum an Rights (PHR) calls for the release of Drs. Kam iar and Arash Alaei, brothe rs imprisoned by Ira nian authorities since June 2008. (Photo courte sy of PHR)

“

…no matter what was going on, I had to put things aside and be a cheerful mom.

d social yers, doctors an w la ith w in rk ssions on Susannah Si ed in training se at ip ic rt pa ho a in Darfur workers w tment of traum ea tr d an n tio documenta R) courtesy of PH in 2006. (Photo

”

Since that time, she and her husband raised two daughters to young adulthood. Ana, 21, is studying to be a professional dancer; Naomi, 19, is pursuing a degree in nursing.

Juggling a full-time career and a family is no longer news in itself. But when that career provides a front row seat to killing and rape, is it possible to leave the work at the office and fulfill roles as spouse and parent?

Sirkin says yes, with some luck and some thought.

In terms of logistics, their life was probably no different from many families where both parents work full-time, Sirkin maintains. There were pick-ups and drop-offs and home daycare and bringing toddlers along on business trips.

“To be honest, when I think back on it, I don’t remember how I did it,” she laughs.

She was grateful to have three months of full maternity leave each time and to be in a workplace where it was okay to bring a baby to the office on occasion.

On the other hand, the travel was not so easy. “I tell younger women, doing international work that requires field travel is really, really hard,” she says. “I remember cutting trips as tightly as I could. I would fly all night, hit the ground running, and fly right back without one extra hour in the country. It was definitely a strain on me, on them, on my husband.”

On the personal side, digging in and letting go at the right times seems to be the key. Having children

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

29

around naturally forced her to shelve gut-wrenching topics when she got home.

“Especially when the girls were little,” she recalls, “no matter what was going on, I had to put things aside and be a cheerful mom.”

But she brought the work home sometimes, she adds — and actually wanted to educate the girls, not let them be blind to important issues.

“Sometimes they would make fun of me,” she says. “They’d be talking about makeup, or a new pair of jeans they wanted, and I’d come in and start talking about work, and they’d say, ‘Oh no, here comes Debbie Downer!’”

She says she has tried to let her daughters choose their own paths. Recently her older daughter expressed some guilt about wanting to be a dancer, wondering if it is trivial in the face of the world’s problems.

“I felt terrible,” Sirkin says. “I had to tell her, the world needs art as much as it needs social activists. It’s wonderful to be able to give that to people too — that’s also what makes the world a better place. I almost had to give her permission to not feel guilty.”

From a shelf in her office, she pulls out a book on emotional and psychological effects on forensics workers who regularly uncover evidence of atrocities. She wrote a chapter for the book on how PHR tries to prevent or alleviate some of the posttraumatic response in its teams.

Sirkin hesitates to even talk about dealing with stress or balancing childcare with work. She knows it’s a privilege to even have such choices. But she mentions that her own family got a taste of catastrophic loss when their house burned down 10 years ago. They lost everything — and she was under treatment for breast cancer at the time. The cancer is gone now, and she says her daughters were resilient in weathering the crisis.

Her tone turns almost clinical as she discusses this traumatic time.

Susannah Sirk in in her Cambridge offic e. (Sandra Larson photo)

“I don’t like to talk about it a lot,” she says, “but it was very interesting for our family and for me especially, to experience facing mortality and facing a traumatic situation.

“It certainly was not related to human rights,” she adds hastily, as if to make sure not to equate her situation with those worse off, “but it has given me additional insight into how people do cope in extreme, or at least semi-extreme circumstances.

It helped me understand a little better how people get up every day even while terrible things are happening, and have to take care of their families and go to work and brush their teeth.”

And for the most part, she follows her own recommendations for staying healthy amid trauma.

She tries to spend at least some hours each day or each week engaged in something totally different. “I listen to music, I see art, I watch dance,” she says.

She considers dance, in particular, as a direct antidote. “Our work deals with assaults on the human body, the destruction of the body in terms of torture, imprisonment, killing, rape,” she said. “I think dance shows the exact opposite — what the body can be when it’s allowed to listen to music and respond and be free, when human beings are able to express themselves at the highest level, physically and artistically.”

She also makes a point to get exercise and fresh air, and be in nature. These are all important for anyone dealing with human rights violations or with trauma, she says.

But in the next breath, she stressed that emotional response is not to be shunned.

“The day that you stop responding emotionally to this work is the day you’ve become too numb to be effective,” she said. “I don’t want to cry all day — but if I never cried I’d be worried. It’s a matter of balancing emotions, not blocking them.”

A week on the job as deputy director of Physicians for Human Rights

Susannah Sirkin had little time to squeeze an interview between a busy workweek and departure for a much-needed vacation. When pressed for details, she mentioned some of her activities over one week in January: • Planned new actions to help free two AIDS doctors imprisoned for over a year in Iran • Did an interview on Al Jazeera English news network about recent violations by the Sudanese Government in Darfur and the new Obama policy on Sudan • Attended a lecture-discussion at the Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government by the International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor • Made preparations for a visit to Boston by the president of PHRIsrael, a sister organization that works on health and human rights in Israel and Palestine • Supported her colleague in final planning as he left for the Burmese border for a major research project documenting crimes against humanity in Burma • Discussed next steps with PHR’s forensic director who is looking into torture cases in Honduras • Participated in a strategy session on the next six months of a campaign against torture by U.S. officials against detainees in our custody, including collusion of health professionals in enabling the torture • Traveled to New York to meet with other groups that will be traveling soon to Sudan to support women’s groups engaged in the peace process and human rights • Worked on a grant proposal to the European Commission for PHR’s work to support the International Criminal Court • Developed, with colleagues, PHR’s comments on health and human rights in light of Haiti earthquake catastrophe • Worked with colleagues on job descriptions for several new hires • Composed thank you letters to donors following end of year contributions to PHR 30

Exhale • Spring 2010

Second to none

Whittier Street’s Frederica Williams is making quality health care accessible in the Roxbury community

by Howard Manly

Exhale • Spring 2010

33

F

rederica Williams is not one for idle chit-chat. As CEO of Whittier Street Health Center, she has gained a national reputation for running one of the best community health centers in Boston — and she is determined to provide even better care and services in the future.

Though Whittier now has a comprehensive health plan for men, the 76-year old institution started in the Great Depression era with a focus on women’s health, a focus that Williams has expanded upon today.

“We believe that wellness for women must include — in addition to the focus on physical health — a focus on emotional well-being and support,” Williams said. “Because women are juggling so much these days, there is a tendency to care for others without focusing on themselves. Whittier believes that a healthy woman will lead to a healthy family and community.”

But it all starts with a healthy community health center. Since her arrival in February 2002, Williams has doubled the annual number of people served to more than 13,000 from 20 different countries; increased revenues by almost 60 percent and expanded the range of services provided to the community — regardless of their ability to pay — everything from prenatal to geriatric care.

That’s a far cry from when she started. In 2001, the year before she began work there, Whittier was a mess and operating at a loss of about $600,000. Armed with extensive business administration skills, most recently as chief financial officer at Dimock Community Health Center, Williams quickly fixed the center’s finances. In her first year, the organization showed a profit of $350,000 — roughly a $1 million turnaround in one year. Williams hasn’t looked back since.

Part of her success can be attributed to the way she was raised. Born in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, Williams vividly remembers the strife caused by tribal and socio-economic differences. Her parents, she explains, were determined to ensure that their children were taken out of their comfort zones and exposed to different ways of life.

“They instilled lifelong values of caring for and helping others in need,” Williams says. “Both were committed to imparting values of compassion, generosity, integrity and humility. They did not want us to feel entitled and they built a strong foundation of hard work, faith, love and hope.”

Those values enabled Williams to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the London School of Accountancy, a graduate certificate (CSS) in administration and management from the Harvard University Extension School, and an MBA from Anna Maria College. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Financial Administrator in the United Kingdom and Wales.

Williams gives much praise to her parents. “They instilled values that have helped me overcome numerous adversities and challenges and shaped my personal mission to eliminate health and social disparities and increase access to health care for all, especially poor and low income people,” Williams said.

Doing the right thing is a noble goal, but in Roxbury, the health problems are enormous and complicated, especially when it comes to women, young and old.

At Whittier Street, the patients are predominantly low-income and uninsured

Because women are juggling so much these days, there is a tendency to care for others without focusing on themselves.

34

Exhale • Spring 2010

or underinsured. The Center also serves Boston’s homeless, elderly, disabled and chronically ill populations.

Take the city’s infant mortality rate. Black mothers have the highest infant mortality rate in the city. It is more than three times higher than the infant mortality rate for white mothers.

According to the CIA World Fact Book, white mothers in Boston, compared to all other countries, would rank 9th worldwide for lowest infant mortality rate, well ahead of the United States at 45th (rate of 6.22). Meanwhile, black mothers in Boston would rank 74th, just ahead of Uruguay and Botswana.

For the last eight years, Whittier has received funding from the Boston Public Health Commission’s Boston Health Start Initiative (BHSI) to provide extensive outreach, education and case management service for pregnant black women.

Through the initiative, Whittier recruits at-risk expectant black mothers from the community and works closely with them from pregnancy through birth. One program component is Whittier’s “Pregnancy and Me” group visits for expectant mothers to work with Certified Nurse Midwives to ensure connection to needed services and support.

A critical part of this program, Williams explains, is helping expectant mothers to understand both the physiological and psychological changes that are happening to their bodies and minds.

Whittier’s care doesn’t stop at birth — nor do the problems. Due to a slew of environment and cultural differences, black and Latino girls in Boston face significantly higher rates of asthma and obesity than white girls of similar ages. As a result, they are at-risk for future long-term chronic conditions including diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.

The numbers are startling. Black children under the age of five are hospitalized due to asthma 3.5 times more often than white children. Girls in Boston ages 0-4 are the second most often hospitalized group due to asthma.

The national problem of childhood obesity is seen right here in Boston. Black and Latino Boston Public high school students are about 40 percent more likely to be overweight or obese than white students.

Whittier Street has a program, aptly named the Asthma Clinic, that is designed to confront and mitigate the negative health and social impacts of asthma that in some cases, go far beyond academic performance and social development.

On the obesity front, Williams explained, Whittier’s “Race Around Roxbury” program has incorporated clinical visits, nutrition education, physical activity, arts therapy and counseling on self esteem/body image to help young children, especially girls, understand the short and long term impacts of obesity on their health. The program also helps young patients better cope with their immediate weight management issues.

But as young girls make their way through high school, other problems emerge.

In 2007, for instance, nine percent of female Boston Public had high school students carried a weapon on them, according to a recent study by the Boston Public Health Commission.

The report went on to say that five percent of female students have been threatened or injured at school with a weapon. More troublesome, about 31 percent of female students felt sad or hopeless for at least two weeks and that black and Latino students were more likely to fall into this category than white students. Worse, 14

“We teach women about nutrition and give them the tools necessary to take care of their children.”

Born in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, Williams attributes her determination in part to her parents, both of whom were committed to imparting values of compassion, generosity, integrity and humility.

(Photo courtesy of Frederica Williams)

percent of female students had considered attempting suicide.

To address increasing levels of violence and mental health issues among adolescent girls in Boston, particularly black and Latino girls, Whittier’s Arts Therapy Department created the DecisionArts program. It meets two days a week after school and teaches violence prevention, healthy choices, life skills and creative arts. The focus of the program is to promote healthy decision-making.

In addition to traditional counseling, art therapy is used as a further means to allow the girls an outlet for healing, skill building and creativity. The 14-week curriculum consists of 28 classes and employs a variety of art genres such as role-play, hip-hop and rap, photography and mural collage in order to engage the participants in discussions of real life situations.

By all accounts, Whittier is on the cutting edge of providing women at all stages of life the medical support they need to lead healthier lives. And based on her past success, Williams is not done.

“My vision for the future is to be able to serve more,” Williams says.

In her own words

Because of her community advocacy at Whittier Street Health Center, Frederica Williams received Magic 106.7’s 2009 Exceptional Women award. Here are excerpts from her brief remarks upon accepting the award:

Through my work, I have come to better understand the connection between socioeconomic issues and personal health.

At Whittier, we serve people who have confronted historical barriers to healthcare due to poverty, lack of health education, language, employment and housing status. These barriers impede access to nutritious foods, healthy housing and adequate time to take care of their health.

We help underserved Boston families break down these barriers by giving them the health care and support services, knowledge, resources and ability to make healthy living a life long priority.

We provide care regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay for services because we believe access to the best health care is a civil right.

We are also addressing major health issues such as infant mortality, diabetes, obesity, cancer, mental illnesses, substance abuse, violence and HIV/AIDS, among others.

We will soon begin construction of a new building so we can double the number of people served with compassionate, comprehensive and high quality services.

As I work with my colleagues at Whittier to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, I am filled with hope and determination to increase access to high quality healthcare for all.

Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray is presented with Whittier Street Health Center’s President’s Award. (L - R) Frederica M. Williams, Whittier Street Health Center President and CEO; Senate President Murray; Deb Miller, Whittier Street Health Center Board Chair; Matthew Fishman, Partners HealthCare Vice President of Community Health. (Photo courtesy of Whittier Street Health Center)

Whittier Street Health Center is expected to move to a sixstory new building in January 2012. With nearly 80,000 square feet of space, the new office will enable the community health center to expand its capacity and offer more services. The groundbreaking is scheduled for September 2010. (Photo courtesy of Whittier Street Health Center)

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

35

Neighborhood

Dorchester’s Latoyia Edwards attributes her success to her loving family and a supportive community

by Bridgit Brown

T

Latoyia with her husband Jesse Edwards and daughter Nina Edwards

Photography by Kim Kennedy ksquaredstudios.com Hair/Makeup 36

Mariolga Team Artist representive

Exhale • Spring 2010

he competition these days to become a television journalist is furious, and Latoyia Edwards is right at home.

From winning the Miss Massachusetts USA crown to competing as a young girl in the Martin Luther King, Jr. oratorical contest, Edwards has done just about everything to earn a regular spot on New England Cable News (NECN) as an anchor — and then some.

Thinking back, Edwards says her competition in the pageant has become an eye-catching item on her resume, particularly in a market where there are so few jobs and lots of qualified candidates.

“It was a crazy thought, but I went with it and it actually worked,” she says.

“I’m not a pageant girl, obviously.”

Born and raised in Dorchester, Edwards attended the Paul A. Dever Elementary School and then the John W. McCormack Middle School, where she first became exposed to public speaking.

“I loved that school,” she says, “and with my mom’s coaching and encouragement, I competed in the annual MLK oratorical contest and won it that first year. I loved the feeling of giving speeches in front of people, and I competed again in the seventh grade and I won that, and I even went on to the city-wide competition while in high school at Boston Latin Academy.”

She did not know that those skills were going to take her far. “When it was time to go to college, I thought, ‘Well, I like journalism and I like public speaking,’ and I combined the two and that was how I got to broadcast journalism.”

Edwards graduated magna cum laude from Emerson College with a degree in broadcast journalism. She attributes her academic success in part to her father’s pep talk before entering college.

“He said, ‘Education is an act. Life is an act. You can act like the smart student and sit in the front of the class and raise your hand or you can act like an idiot.’ I chose to be a good student, and in my first semester I got a 4.0.”

Right now she says she is right on course: she has a wonderful husband, a beautiful 3 year old girl, a fabulous job and a promising future. Indeed, the world appears to be her oyster.

“I’m standing on the shoulders of thousands of people,” she says. “I loved how I grew up. My family is still very close. When my brother was going for his job at the MBTA, my sisters and I were praying for him.”

She also loves the Dorchester community. She says that she makes a point to claim the vibrant and diverse neighborhood of Boston wherever she goes.

“The Strand Theater had a program that was for 14 year olds, and they let me in when I was twelve,” she recalls. “That helped with my public speaking skills.

pride The Dorchester House had a theatre program, and when I was 8 years old, my best friend from childhood and I would go there every Saturday morning. Her stepfather would drive us. I did my first play at 8 years old there. I played an old man, and I loved it.”

She was always open to trying something new. That partly explains her rationale for competing for the Miss USA crown in 2005.

She was working at the time as a morning news reporter for WILD AM 1090 and as a reporter for a Lowell cable station. But she wanted a better job, maybe as an on-air talent for a network television affiliate.

“Oprah Winfrey and Diane Sawyer each had pageants on their biographies,” she says, “and I was ready to move on and I asked the question: ‘What will make these Massachusetts stations notice me?’ I always thought outside of the box and so I said, ‘Well, why not a pageant?’

“I was just beginning to date my husband at the time, and when I told him what I was going to do, he thought I was a weirdo. But he went along with it and he was great because he eventually bought into it and helped me fundraise. We raised enough money so that I could rent my dress.”

While most of her competitors had been participating in the pageantry business since they were toddlers, Edwards says it seemed as if the stars were aligned for her.

“I was already a reporter so I knew how to get through the interview process,” she recalls, “and I was still fit from my days of playing basketball at Emerson College. So I bought a few books on how to win pageants and studied them thoroughly.”

The competition took place over two nights. She modeled in an evening gown and then sported a swimsuit on the second night. Her family proudly watched her take home the crown of Miss Massachusetts. She competed in the national competition for Miss USA, and, though she did not win, the best part of the story occurred after the competition.

The director of WWLP-22 — an NBC affiliate station in Springfield — had a reporter find her telephone number and then call her for an interview.

Not surprisingly, Edwards got the job. She stayed there for three years.

She began her career at NECN in 2005 as a morning

show reporter, a shift that began at 3 a.m. — and one that she did while pregnant. After three years, NECN offered — and she accepted — a dual position of health reporter and weekend anchor.

“I come up with my own health stories, and I do a lot of field work and it’s wonderful reporting here in Massachusetts, a state known for its great health care system,” she says.

“On the weekends, I anchor from the news desk. It’s a nice mix, because you get to go out and report and you also get to stay inside and anchor.”

Edwards can also be seen on WGBH’s Basic Black on Thursday evenings, where she participates in a round-table discussion on current issues involving Boston’s African American community.

She aspires to host a national talk show one day.

Among her fans is Valerie Stephens, a wellknown singer, performer and community activist who taught Edwards back in the days of the Strand Teen Players.

Designed as a way to teach teens every facet of theater production, both creative and technical, the Strand Teen players were the pride of Roxbury. And even back then, Edwards was a star pupil.

“I remember her as being all arms and legs with a huge smile and contagious laugh,” Stephens says. “I remember her as a leader who sorely wanted to succeed. She was cool.”

Edwards makes a point to claim the vibrant and diverse neighborhood of Boston wherever she goes.

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

37

Sara Campbell

Sara Campbell

The woman is confident, not afraid of color, loves clean lines and embraces the details.

Off white & green scroll print sateen stretch wrap dress with tie at waist, $350 saracampbell.com

MOD

The woman is young, fashion conscious, unique and trendy. She loves bright colors and vibrant patterns which allows her to express her glamorous personality.

Sara Campbell

MOD Boston

Green Top $34.95 (617) 265-0011

MOD BOSTON 184 Washington St. Dorchester, MA (617) 265-0011 38

Exhale • Spring 2010

Still Photos by ianjustice.com / wonderfulmachine

A one of a kind sample. Tweed dress with beaded neckline detail, can be purchase a the sample sale. saracampbell.com

Sara Campbell

Orange ruffle wrap top with tie at waist, $175 saracampbell.com

Sara Campbell

White sleeveless blouse w/ruffle pockets, $175 Yellow cardigan a unique item from Sara Campbell, can be found in “Sample Alley” saracampbell.com

MOD Boston

Orange Dress $49.99 (617) 265-0011

Sara Campbell

Sunflower boader print slim skirt, a summer must-have, $220 saracampbell.com Sara Campbell Ltd. 46 Plympton Street Boston, MA 02118-4200 (617) 423-313 exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

39

Opaleen.com

Gold flower & peach beads necklace, $49

Deauville long twisted rope gold necklace, $44 Balbee four gold banglest, $39 Honfleur enamel pink flower ring, $29

Sara Campbell Cuff, $50 saracampbell.com

40

Exhale • Spring 2010

Still Photos by ianjustice.com / wonderfulmachine

Opaleen.com

MOD Boston

Big Pearl Necklace, $18.99 (617) 265-0011

Sara Campbell

Loren Bell cotton & necklace, $156 saracampbell.com

Sara Campbell

Jojo exclusive bracelet, $110 saracampbell.com

get into the spring spirit

accessories great colors to accent your spring summer wardrobe

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

41

Keeping

I

am 24 years old and have been partnered in a relationship for over a year. The relationship ended abruptly 2 months ago when my girlfriend told me she needed to make many changes in her life and that included us. I cannot stop thinking about her and trying to figure out what might have gone wrong. She has made it clear she does not want to have contact with me. I keep going on our mutual friends’ Facebook pages all day to see if I get glimpses of her and her new life.

Is this a problem?

When relationships end before we are ready, that usually causes heartbreak. One can imagine your heartbreak is complicated by the fact that you are not clear about exactly what happened. You may have to accept that you will never know. If your girlfriend is being honest about the ending being connected to changes she needed to make, remember you cannot fix her life or be responsible for her happiness.

Regardless, heartbreak brings feelings of heaviness, emptiness and sadness.

•Avoid the constant searching for glimpses of your former girlfriend on social networking sites. While it may be human nature to be curious about her life, obsessively looking for her is likely to prolong your grieving process and will not provide you with the real answers you are looking for.

•Accept the pain you are experiencing. It is okay to feel sad and it certainly okay to cry. At the same time you must try to avoid thinking of yourself as a bad person or a failure. Your capacity to love represents strength not a fault.

•Consider using a journal to capture your emotions. This process may allow you to see some patterns in your relationship choices, connect some dots you may have been unaware of from your past or honestly reflect on the interactions with your former girlfriend.

•Stay active. Research shows that exercise improves mood and can help with depression. Distractions are important. Try to do things even when you might not feel enthusiastic.

M

y husband and I have been married for 16 years and have two children ages, 15 and 13. We have attended the same church as a family for many years although I have taken a more active role in the church in recent years. My church community has been especially supportive, as I have battled numerous medical conditions. My husband has stopped attending church this year and says “it’s not working for him anymore” and in the past month my 15year-old son has come up with reasons that he cannot attend Sunday services.

I am extremely embarrassed when church members ask me about my husband and son. What should I say? How can I get them to return to church?

One can understand your distress and confusion. Some research studies indicate religious compatibility between spouses at the time of the marriage has a significant influence on marital stability. However, getting into a struggle about his church attendance can also lead to marital conflict. You did not indicate that your husband was attempting to put restrictions on your church attendance. However, if you do feel he is trying to control your church participation, this is probably not the only area of your life he is trying to control. This would certainly represent some serious ruptures in your relationship and would need to be addressed.

Rather than trying to get him to return to church, it seems more important now to have a dialogue about what has changed for him. He is not likely to talk about this if he feels you only want to convince him to return as opposed to listening to his feelings. He could be angry at God, angry at you for your increased church involvement, upset over a conflict with some other church members or wanting a 44

Exhale • Spring 2010

It Real:

Managing Modern Relationships

different spiritual experience. Listening and then talking are the first important steps.

With regards to your 15-year-old son, a similar dialogue is important. It is not unusual however for adolescents to become bored with church attendance especially if the church does not have youth orientated activities or programming. We must also assume he has observed his father’s withdrawal and may be confused about it or may be relishing in the only time they get to spend together.

•Do not punish your husband for not attending church. Withholding sex, withdrawing emotionally or refusing to participate in other Sunday rituals will not motivate him to attend.

•Avoid the deadly 2C’s — Criticism and Contempt. John Gottman, a renowned couple’s therapist and researcher has found that criticism and contempt are communication practices that can end relationships quickly.

•Being in a listening mode may allow you to find out what your husband is really thinking about church attendance.

•Wonder out loud with your husband about your adolescent son’s recent behavior regarding church attendance.

•Be honest with the church members that some family members have stopped attending, that you miss them, that you hope they will return but that you remain committed and present.

•Rather than pressuring your husband and son to attend church, extend an invitation to special events at church that you know they have enjoyed in the past (i.e. Men’s Day, visiting Gospel Choir, youth speaker).

•Focus on yourself. Do not allow other family members’ decisions to be a distraction to your own spiritual growth and development.

I

am 38-year-old single woman and have a successful nursing career. I have just learned that I will be honored at a national conference with a very prestigious nursing award. I have been seeing a guy I really like for the past nine months. While we have not had the “committed relationship” discussion, we do see each other quite regularly. I would like to ask him to travel with me to NYC to receive the award at the awards ceremony and gala. Almost all of the expenses are taken care of so there should be no financial burden. My sister advises against this because she thinks my friend is somewhat insecure and may be uncomfortable in an unfamiliar setting. What should I do?

Cassandra M. Clay, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W., is a clinical social worker and coach who practices and consults on family life issues in Boston. She is clinical professor emeritus at Boston University School of Social Work.

It sounds as though you are not quite sure whether your sister’s assessment is accurate.

It seems important to talk with her to determine if there is evidence for her reaction or whether she is uncomfortable with him for other reasons. If your sister is someone you trust and whose opinion you have valued in the past, then it seems you must at least consider her comments. But ultimately this is your decision and I would encourage you to trust your feelings based on previous interactions you and your friend have had together. In making a decision, you should consider: •His reactions when you told him about the award. Was he enthusiastic and happy for you? Did he ask you questions that expressed his interest or change the subject? Was he able to offer genuine congratulations or did he seem indifferent?

•Is he comfortable in social settings where he does not know many people? Might there be others at the event(s) he knows?

•Will he be sitting with you at a table or will you be on a stage?

•Does he usually have a strong need to be the center of attention?

•Will there be ample opportunity for you two to spend some alone time together either before or after the festivities?

•Have you given thought to how you would introduce him to others i.e. as your guest, a friend, or your boyfriend?

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

45

Quick Getaways

MASSACHUSETTS

getaways

Whether you are looking to take a day trip or extending a long weekend, Massachusetts has the perfect getaways. From the Berkshires to Cape Cod there are a multitude of exciting things to do from spa trips and museum visits to outdoor activities, trails and historic walks.

By Lisa Simmons, Director of PR and Communication, MOTT

GREATER BOSTON:

From the City of Boston, steeped in American history and alive with visual and performing arts and champion sports teams to Cambridge, home of Harvard University, MIT and an upbeat counterculture to the many museums that fill the Greater Boston landscape, there is so much for you to explore and enjoy.

Travel Samplers

Stroll and shop along Newbury Street, see the Make Way For Duckings – Boston Magnolia trees bursting into (photo by Kindra Clineff.) bloom on Commonwealth Avenue, glide around the Public Garden lagoon on a Swan Boat, take in the view at the Skywalk Observatory at the Prudential Center, end the evening with a Charles River cruise at sunset. Or grab a meal in vibrant Chinatown and stay over at one of our topnotch hotels.

Head over to Cambridge where you can stroll along the grand mansions on Cambridge’s “Tory Row,” then walk through famous Harvard Yard and spend some time in Harvard Square shopping and taking in the entertainment. Check out the sailboats on the banks of the Charles River and in Kenmore Square, join the Red Sox fans as they make their annual pilgrimage to Fenway Park.

Visit historic Beacon Hill, walk the historic Black Heritage and Freedom Trails, take a trip out to the Franklin Park Zoo or grab a Discover Roxbury Tour. Go hiking in the Blue Hills, or play a round of golf at Franklin Park Golf Course. Spend the evening checking out some great Massachusetts jazz venues. (massjazz.com)

46

Exhale • Spring 2010

NORTH OF BOSTON & GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY:

Beautiful coastlines, artist studios, fresh off-the-boat seafood, quaint B & B’s and towns steeped in American history are what await you just north and west of Boston. From the crashing waves and the quiet shores, to the historic battlefield of Concord and Lexington and the textile mills of Lowell, this area of Massachusetts is a hidden gem.

Travel Samplers

Explore Gloucester’s maritime history, hop on a whale watch, browse the galleries at Rocky Neck and stroll along the shops at Rockport’s Bearskin Neck and take home some “penny candy.”

Enjoy bird watching at Plum Island, home to more than 800 species of birds, plants and animals then grab dinner at the Clam Box or Woodman’s and your day will be complete.

Take a journey through the American Revolution in Lexington and Concord. Walk on the town green in Lexington where every Patriots Day the battle between the patriots and redcoats is reenacted. Hop on board the Liberty Ride to get a complete tour of all of the historic sites, while relaxing on a motorcoach.

Visit the Lowell National Historical Park and step on to a turnof-the-century trolley; tour the textile mills that heralded America’s Industrial Revolution.

Make a stop at the New England Quilt Museum as well as the Boott Cotton Mills and the Revolving Museum.

Lexington Concord Photo (re-enactment) (photo by Kindra Clineff)

Quick Getaways CAPE COD and THE ISLANDS:

The beauty of Cape Cod and the Islands can be seen in the long stretches of beach, a multitude of small and large hotels and inns and spas to help you relax and rejuvenate. Families put down roots here for the summer and spend their days waxing and waning in the sun. With its many art galleries, golf courses, restaurants, idyllic cottages and island charm, the Cape and the Islands are synonymous with sun and fun.

Travel Samplers

Rent a bike and pedal the 25-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail, then reward yourself with a seaside lobster dinner. Stay at one of the many Bed & Breakfast inns and enjoy a long weekend or make it a week-long stay; you’ll never want to leave.

On Martha’s Vineyard, tour Oak Bluffs’ famous “gingerbread” cottages; take a ride to the cliffs of Aquinnah to see the red clay. Enjoy a day of fishing, make a great catch aboard one of the many charter boats or just relax on the porch of your hotel and savor a good book.

On Nantucket Island, visit America’s second oldest

Sunset on Provincetown Harbor (photo byTim Grafft/MOTT)

lighthouse, Brant Point Light. Bring out a picnic dinner and enjoy some surf casting as dusk. Take a peek inside the African American Meeting House. Shop in the many specialty stores that line the cobblestone streets, and grab lunch and dinner at many restaurants that dot the island.

Enjoy one of 33 public golf courses along Cape Cod’s Golf Coast. Pack your clubs and head off for the day and treat yourself to a spa experience at one of the many beautiful resorts and spas on the Cape.

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS:

Located in the heart of Massachusetts, this region is chockfull of museums, family-friendly attractions, orchards and maple sugaring. Home to Old Sturbridge Village, the AHL Worcester Sharks and the Worcester Tornadoes and the Johnny Appleseed Trail, Central Massachusetts has a great deal to offer.

Travel Samplers

Experience spring and summer in the 1830s at Old Wooden Fence, Old Sturbridge Village Sturbridge Village.

(Photo by Tim Grafft/MOTT) Head over to the Hyland Orchard and Brewery for tours and family activities and from there, head to Brimfield home of the largest antiques fair in Massachusetts. Tired? Stay over at one of the historic inns or hotels in the area.

Spend the day apple picking, hiking and dinner at one of the many area orchards. Walk through the Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary and see hawks circling the 1,000-acre site. If a water park is on your mind, head up to Fitchburg and stop at the mega-maze and farmland on the way, then plan to stay overnight and enjoy the Coco Key Resort.

In Worcester explore the Art Museum and the Higgins Armory, hop on over to the furniture factory outlets in Gardner and stop by the EcoTarium and discover the fascinating world of astronomy. Dine at the many delicious restaurants in the area and take in a show at Mechanics Hall.

Tanglewood. (photo by Kindra Clineff)

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS:

Synonymous with nature, harmony and culture, Western Massachusetts takes your breath away. With the shear physical beauty of the region: gently rolling hills, classic village greens, rushing rivers and breathtaking vistas.

From world-class spas to hiking the Commonwealth’s highest peak, to biking the historic African American Heritage Trail to world renowned performers and performances, Western Massachusetts is not to be missed.

Spring sampler

The town of Shelburne Falls boasts a bridge of flowers on the site of an old trolley bridge surrounded by burgeoning artists and funky restaurants. Spend some time surrounded by 4,000 butterflies, discover historic Deerfield, whitewater raft down the spectacular Deerfield River and stay over at a cozy B & B.

Shoot hoops on the outdoor court at Springfield’s brand-new Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Stop by the Dr. Seuss Museum and the other incredible museums that make up Springfield Museums 10. Travel up route 91 and browse in the galleries, coffee shops and microbreweries in Northampton. Or stop by and see the exquisite collections at the art museums at Smith and Mt. Holyoke College.

Head out to the Berkshires and be a part of the thriving cultural mecca from Tanglewood to the Norman Rockwell Museum to MASS MoCA. Relax at one the world class spa’s and yoga retreats or Hike Mt. Greylock or the Housatonic Valley African American Trail, drop in at the W.E.B. Du Bois Homesite, then enjoy an evening at a beautiful Berkshire inn.

Visit www.massvacation.com for more information and to plan your trip.

exhalelifestyle.com Exhale • Spring 2010

47

Roxbury International FilmFestival

By Liza Weisstuch

Q:

First things first: how did the festival get off the ground?

I was acting and going to auditions and finding it didn’t matter if I had talent. All that mattered was looks. I had founded Color of Film — a networking group of like-minded actors, writers, producers, directors who’d come together but all worked on their own projects.

Meanwhile, ACT Roxbury created an art series. They wanted to build on that and add a festival component. They got a grant and Candelaria Silver, the director, knew we were doing a lot of things to supporting independent filmmakers of color, so she asked us to co-produce it with them. And it’s still going.

Q:

You featured all sorts of films by local filmmakers. How did those humble beginnings turn into an occasion for people like Billy Dee Williams and Ruby Dee to take a trip to Boston or for you to screen sneak previews of big yet-tobe-released titles, like you did last year with Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog?”

The biggest joke is that we ask, “Do you know their mother?” That’s how we got Michael Beach, who was in “Soul Food” and “Waiting to Exhale” and is from Boston. We ask who knows their mother, because [no one] can deny their mother. Then it continued to build by word of mouth. We’d get someone like Victoria Rowell from “The Young and the Restless” who wrote a memoir about being a foster child, and buzz would happen.

50

Exhale • Spring 2010

Q:

You generally don’t seem to play up the celebrity factor when you talk about and promote the festival.

It’s really about looking at what films are out there and building a quality festival. For the most part, our audience is eager to see these films and they come out and support them. They’re excited every year because they get to see movies they don’t normally see in theaters. Filmmakers go back and talk about it — and about Boston.

It doesn’t happen to make money or be a big celebrityfest. We focus on filmmakers and give them the due they deserve, helping them to exhibit their work and ultimately distribute it. The audience is appreciative of the filmmakers being here. An audience member described it to me once as this “weird hum of love.”

Q:

It sounds like a real sense of community sets in.

It’s odd and strange, but the filmmakers don’t feel like a number, they sense the audience really cares because they show it—they engage and ask great questions. What’s a festival without filmmakers? We want them to talk about their work because it’s very personal.

(Back from L to R) Alex Reed, Darius McCroey, Jon Bonner, Sharif Butler, Mitzi Dorbu, Pam Jones (Front from L to R) Alkia Powell, Delilah DaSilva, Colette Greenstein, Terri Brown, Lisa Simmons, Ashiya Smith, Michele Baxter, Toya Hendricks, Thato Mwosa

Lisa Simmons is one of the driving forces behind the Roxbury International Film Festival, overseeing everything from film selection to planning and executing the various events and screenings. With the arrival of the 12th annual festival on July 29 through August 1, Simmons took some time to talk about the festival’s genesis, its star-studded roster of guests, and the importance of being heard.

Q:

Who are some of the industry notables you’ve brought to Boston?

We’ve had Billy Dee Williams, the actors Robert Townsend and Tim Reid and his wife Daphne Maxwell Reid. It’s about building good will; it’s known among the industry that Roxbury is an important festival. We have built a reputation over the years as being hospitable and supportive.

And lots of the films we show go off to other festivals.

Q:

But in a grander way, it’s all very public.

Most of the films you screen tell poignant stories. But the simple act of telling them, in a way, gives viewers license to react and speak out, if not tell their own stories.

It’s still really important to constantly inspire and push people to create more diverse images and support those images. We’re constantly getting mainstream Hollywood films.

Sure, there’s “The Book of Eli,” but those come along once in a while. Independent films tell stories that people might not otherwise hear, stories that might not get green-lit from Hollywood.

Q:

You mean because they aren’t starstudded blockbusters?

They deal with issues around abuse, siblings, all sorts of things that never come to big screen, but have an incredible, lasting impact when seeing them. “Calling My Children”

by David Binder, who’s local, won last year’s best short film award. It’s a documentary about a mother who died of AIDS. There’s such an important place for independent films. They always need to be championed, supported.

Q:

Twelve years ago, could you have imagined the festival would be what it’s become today?

When we started, I thought it’s great to support independent filmmakers in Boston. I didn’t think we’d have global reach. We support filmmakers who weren’t getting into other festivals. Now it amazes me to stand in front of people and see people pouring in. Kena Dorsey, who did “Jump the Broom,” which was last year’s opening night film, said she was over the moon. That reaction to something that we did makes it worth it. exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

51

Cultural Calendar

April

BostonUSA celebrates Armenian American Heritage Month www.BostonUSA.com For more info, visit http://www.bostonusa.com

BostonUSA celebrates Greek Independence Day Parade www.BostonUSA.com For more info, visit http://www.bostonusa.com

2

Boston Celtics (basketball) vs Houston Rockets TD Garden

2-4

Aime Japanese animation expo Hynes Convention Center

For more info on these events, visit http://www.bostonusa.com

4-7

Red Sox Season BEGINS: First home game series vs. NY Yankees Fenway Park

3

13-18

“Cats!” musical Colonial Theatre

14-15

Newport Mansions - The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, The Elms, Marble House are open daily from April 3, 2010 through the year; other mansions & gardens are open in the summer & fall

Boston Residential Design & Construction Expo Boston Seaport World Trade Center

6

“Dr. Lakra” Exhibition Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) through Sept. 6

CSB (Celebrity Series of Boston) presents Imani Winds collaborate with jazz vibraphonist Stefon Harris Jordan Hall

8-18

“Coppélia” Boston Ballet Opera House Boston Celtics (basketball) vs Washington Wizards TD Garden

14

Boston Celtics (basketball) vs Milwaukee Bucks (Last home game) TD Garden

16 -18

Runner’s Expo Hynes Convention Center Boston Public Garden Photo courtesy of “Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.”

9

Brasserie Jo’s host Fashion Show Fridays. Featuring Fashion School of Design Brasserie Jo’s

3

The Big Apple Circus, Boston City Hall Plaza through May 16

9-11

9th CraftBoston crafts exposition Seaport World Trade Center

10

Pre-Patriot’s Weekend 2010: Concord & Lincoln Reenactments Boston Food & Wine Expo Bayside Expo Center (tentative)

52

Photo courtesy of G Creative

Exhale • Spring 2010

17

Opening Swanboats 133rd Season Boston Public Garden

2

For more info on these events, visit http://www.bostonusa.com

25

April 17

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Wang Theatre For ticket information, visit http://www.citicenter.org

19

114th Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon.

Begins Hopkinton, finish Boylston St. Mobility Impaired Division start time: 9:00 a.m; Wheelchair Division start time: 9:22 a.m;Elite Women’s start time: 9:32 a.m; Elite Men’s and Wave 1 start time: 10:00 a.m; Wave 2 start time: 10:30 a.m.

CSB presents Pianist Maurizio Pollini in recital Symphony Hall

29

Dining Out For Life (dining and AIDS fundraiser) Participating restaurants donate 25 percent of their proceeds on this night to support HIV/AIDS prevention. The local beneficiary is Cambridge Cares About AIDS. For more information, visit http://www. diningoutforlife.com/Boston

May

20

24-26

“Art In Bloom” annual floral interpretations of art event Museum of Fine Arts Boston

5-6

125th Boston Pops, Josh Ritter guest artist Boston Symphony Hall

6

Brian Stokes Mitchell in concert Sanders Theater

7

22-24

24

5

Cinco de Mayo celebrations at restaurants & lounges in Boston

125th Boston Pops, 125th Celebration Boston Symphony Hall

8-29

Into the Woods Emerson Stage Cutler Majestic Theatre

Boston Jazz Week CityWide through May 2

4

125th Boston Pops Opening Night Boston Symphony Hall

6-16

“Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein” musical Opera House Boston

23-25

4-16

“Steppenwolf’s August :Osage County” play Colonial Theatre

“Ultimate Balanchine” Boston Ballet Opera House

Patriot’s Day

Red Sox home game vs. Baltimore Fenway Park

Walk for Hunger Boston Begins Hatch Shell Sunday

1

Anthem Entertainment Presents “Ladies Luxury Escape” Shop ‘Til you Drop!

11:00 am – 7PM Millennium Bostonian Hotel (Seasons Ballroom) advance ticket purchases are available at www.anthemevents.com/ladies

“Johnny Baseball ” The New Red Sox Musical American Rep Theatre

9

125th Boston Pops, Family Concert Boston Symphony Hall

11-14

125th Boston Pops, Hooray for Hollywood John Williams conductor Symphony Hall exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

53

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

Cultural Calendar

29

125th Boston Pops, Ray Charles Tribute Night Boston Symphony Hall

29-30

25th Fanueil Hall Marketplace Street Performers Festival Fanueil Hall

12

Jersey Boys Providence Performing Arts Center Through June 6

14-16

Emerging America Theatre Festival American Rep Theatre Huntington Theatre & Institute of Contemporary Art

15-16

Walk for Breast Cancer Boston Begins Hatch Shell

54

22

17th Earthfest Radio 92.9 Live Concert Hatch Shell

18-22

June 1-2

125th Boston Pops, Dave Brubeck guest artist Boston Symphony Hall

4-5

125th Boston Pops, Duke Ellington Tribute Night Boston Symphony Hall

6

106th Dorchester Day Parade Dorchester Avenue

20

25th AIDS Boston Walk Esplanade Boston

Jazz at the Gardner Mark Whitfield Jr. Quartet Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum For ticket information visit http://www.isgm.org

31st Dragon Boat Festival Charles River

20-30

For more info on these events, visit

Exhale • Spring 2010

Scooper Bowl nation’s largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival.

Boston City Hall Plaza

8

125th Boston Pops, “From The Top” NPR radio show Night Boston Symphony Hall

9-11

125th Boston Pops, Cole Porter Tribute Night Boston Symphony Hall

12

Hall Plaza 125th Boston Pops, Gospel Night Boston Symphony Hall

125th Boston Pops, Pops Honor America Concerts Symphony Hall

“Black and White” Boston Ballet Opera House

1st week

http://www.bostonusa.com

31st Cambridge River Festival, Charles River

12-13

Dance for World Community Festival Harvard Square

13

Walk for Children’s Hospital Boston Begins Hatch Shell

17-18

125th Boston Pops, Arlo Guthrie guest artist Boston Symphony Hall

19

125th Boston Pops, Anniversary Celebration Night Boston Symphony Hall Boston Pops play free Hatch Shell 3rd Annual Make Music Harvard Square 4th Juneteenth Celebration Boston 145th anniversary emancipation Franklin Park

http://www.bostonusa.com

23-30

Museum of Fine Arts Concerts In The Courtyard Wednesday evenings Museum of Fine Arts

4

Independence Day Reading of Declaration of Independence Old State House & Ancient & Honorable Parade Boston Pops –celebrating their 125th birthday- Concert & Fireworks Hatch Shell

(Photo by Flickr’s arichar6)

For more info on these events, visit

25

13th “Chefs In Shorts” food & wine event Seaport World Trade Center

26-27

Dew Tour’s Skate Open Championships USA Tour Boston TD Garden

30

29th Boston Harborfest Boston Harbor- Harbor Islands 6th Navy Week Boston Boston Harbor

July

4 35th Cape Verdean Festival Boston City Hall Plaza

5

29th Boston Chowderfest Boston City Hall Plaza 3rd Think Pink, Drink Pink, Shop Pink! Continues until August Harvard Square shops

7

25

44th Puerto Rican Festival & Parade Playstead Franklin Park, Boston

28

“Nicholas Nixon: Family Album” photography exhibition Museum of Fine Arts Boston Through May 2011

29

6th Navy Week Boston Boston Harbor 29th Boston Harborfest Boston Harbor- Harbor Islands

Bastille Day Boston at BeeHive, Liberty, Intercontinental Hotels (tent)

12th Roxbury Film Festival Museum of Fine Arts, Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall ,Massachusetts College of Art , Northeastern University, Cabral Center at the John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute, Haley House Bakery Café Red Sox home game vs. Detroit Fenway Park Through Aug. 1 www.roxburyfilmfestival.org

3

10th Gospelfest on Boston City Hall Plaza

18

August

1

16th Boston Harborfest Children’s Day City Hall Plaza

1-5

Boston Pops celebrating their 125th birthday Concert Hatch Shell USS Constitution Turnaround (half-turnaround this year due to renovation) July 4, 2010

“Avedon Fashion 1944-2000” photography exhibition Museum of Fine Arts Boston Through Jan. 2

10-11

22-15

15th Commonwealth Shakespeare presents “Othello” free Boston Common

1

96th St. Agrippina di Mineo Society Feast Celebration, Hanover & Battery Streets

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010

55

resource Directory HEALTHCenters Allston / Brighton ST. ELIZABETH’S HEALTH CARE AT BRIGHTON MARINE HEALTH CENTER 77 Warren Street Brighton 02135 617-562-5200 http://www.caritas-semc.org JOSEPH M. SMITH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 287 Western Avenue Allston 02134 617-783-0500 http://www.josephsmith.org

Boston BOSTON HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM 780 Albany Street Boston 02118 857-654-1000 http://www.bhchp.org FENWAY HEALTH 1340 Boylston Street Boston 02215 617-267-0900 http://www.fenwayhealth.org MGH BACK BAY HEALTHCARE CENTER 388 Commonwealth Avenue Boston 02215 617-267-7171 http://www2.massgeneral.org/ primarycareweb/primary_backbay.htm

58

Exhale • Spring 2010

MGH NORTH END COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 332 Hanover Street, Boston 02113 617-643-8000 http://www.massgeneral.org/northend SIDNEY BORUM JR. HEALTH CENTER 130 Boylston Street Boston 02116 617-457-8140 http://www.jri.org/theborum

Charlestown MGH CHARLESTOWN HEALTHCARE CENTER 73 High Street Charlestown 02129 617-724-8135 http://www.massgeneral.org/ctweb

Chinatown SOUTH COVE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 885 Washington Street Boston 02111 617-482-7555 http://www.scchc.org

Dorchester BOWDOIN STREET COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 230 Bowdoin Street Dorchester 02122 617-754-0100 http://www.bowdoinstreethealth.org CODMAN SQUARE HEALTH CENTER 637 Washington Street Dorchester 02124 617-825-9660 http://www.codman.org

DORCHESTER HOUSE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER 1353 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester 02122 617-288-3230 http://www.dorchesterhouse.org GEIGER-GIBSON COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER Harbor Health Services Inc. 250 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester 617-288-1140 HARVARD STREET NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER 632 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester 02121 617-825-3400 http://www.harvardstreet.org NEPONSET HEALTH CENTER Harbor Health Services Inc. 398 Neponset Avenue, Dorchester 02122 617-282-3200 UPHAM’S CORNER HEALTH CENTER 415 Columbia Road, Dorchester 02125 617-287-8000 http://www.uphamscornerhealthctr.com

East Boston EAST BOSTON NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER 10 Gove Street, East Boston 02128 617-569-5800 http://www.ebnhc.org

Roslindale GREATER ROSLINDALE MEDICAL & DENTAL CENTER 4199 Washington Street, Roslindale 02131 617-323-4440 http://www.roslindale.org

Roxbury THE DIMOCK CENTER 55 Dimock Street, Roxbury 02119 617-442-8800 http://www.dimock.org ROXBURY COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 435 Warren Street, Roxbury 02119 617-442-7400 WHITTIER STREET HEALTH CENTER 1125 Tremont Street, Roxbury 02120 617-427-1000 http://www.wshc.org

South End SOUTH END COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 1601 Washington Street, Boston 02118 617-425-2000 http://www.sechc.org

Jamaica Plain BROOKSIDE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 3297 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain 02130 617-522-4700 http://www.brighamandwomens.org/primarycare/offices/ brookside.aspx MARTHA ELIOT HEALTH CENTER 75 Bickford Street, Jamaica Plain 02130 617-971-2100 http://www.childrenshospital.org/locations SOUTHERN JAMAICA PLAIN HEALTH CENTER 640 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain 02130 617-983-4100 http://www.brighamandwomens.org/primarycare/offices/ sjphc.aspx

Mattapan

MATTAPAN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 1425 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan 02126 617-296-0061 http://www.mattapanchc.org

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010 59

resource Directory FITNESSCenters Benefitness unlimited 62 Harvard Street, Ste. 1 Brookline 02445 617-232-7440 http://benefitnesshealthclub.com Body by Brandy Fitness Center 2181 Washington Street Roxbury 02119 617-442-2187 http://www.bodybybrandy.com Boston Athletic Club 653 Summer Street, Boston 02210 617-269-4300 http://www.bostonathleticclub.com Boston Sports Clubs 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston 02118 617-482-1266 http://www.bostonsportsclubs.com Brookline Tai Chi 1615 Beacon Street, Brookline 02446 617-277-2975 http://www.brooklinetaichi.com

Gold’s Gym Lansdowne 71 Lansdowne Street Boston 02215 617-536-6066 http://www.goldsgym.com/ locator

http://www.lambertsfitnesscenter.com Planet Fitness 500 Neponset Avenue Dorchester 02122 617-287-8885 http://www.planetfitness.com

Healthworks Fitness Centers http://healthworksfitness.com Back Bay 441 Stuart Street, Boston 02116 617-859-7700 Codman Square 450 Washington Street, Dorchester 02124 617-825-2800 http://www.healthworksfoundation.org/ codman St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center 90 Cushing Avenue, Dorchester 02125 617-825-1600 http://www.healthworksfoundation.org/ stmarys Chestnut Hill 1300 Boylston Street, Brookline 02467 617-383-6100 Porter Square 35 White Street, Cambridge 02140 617-497-4454

Dorchester YMCA 776 Washington Street Dorchester 02124 617-436-7750 http://www.ymcaboston.org/dorchester

Lambert’s Fitness for Women 735 Morrissey Boulevard Dorchester 02122 617-265-1994

Wang YMCA Chinatown 8 Oak Street West, Boston 02116 617-426-2237 http://www.ymcaboston.org/wang

Huntington Avenue YMCA 316 Huntington Avenue, Boston 02115 617-927-8060 http://www.ymcaboston.org/ blackachievers Hyde Park YMCA 1137 River Street, Hyde Park 02136 617-361-2300 http://www.ymcaboston.org/hydepark Roxbury YMCA 285 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Roxbury 02119 617-427-5300 http://www.ymcaboston.org/roxbury

Get in Shape For Women 645 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge 02139 617-576-9100 http://www.getinshapeforwomen.com Gold’s Gym 323 Dorchester Avenue, South Boston 02127 617-268-5500 http://www.goldsgym.com/locator

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010 61

resource Directory SPAS&Salons Amyris Day Spa 1208B VFW Parkway West Roxbury 02132 617-325-0661 Ardan Medspa + Salon 72 Central Street, Wellesley 02482 781-235-7788 http://www.ardanspa.com Beaucage Salon & Spa 71 Newbury Street, Boston 02116 617-437-7171 http://www.beaucage.com Bella Day Spa 416 West Broadway South Boston 02127 617-269-2600 Bella Santé Serving the Boston area 617-424-9930 http://www.bellasante.com Body by Brandy Fitness Center & Day Spa 2181 Washington Street, Roxbury 02119 617-442-2187 http://www.bodybybrandy.com G Spa Inc 35 Newbury Street, Boston 02116 617-267-4772 Grettacole 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston 02116 617-266-6166 http://www.grettacole.com

62

Exhale • Spring 2010

Hair & Day Spa At Henia’s 34 Commercial Wharf East Boston 02110 617-523-8800 http://www.heniasdayspa.com Halisi Day Spa & Salon 13 Melnea Cass Boulevard Boston 02119 617-427-9100 http://www.halisidayspa.com Healthworks Fitness Centers Boston 441 Stuart Street, Boston 02116 617-859-7700 http://www.healthworksfitness.com Nami Spa 12 Clarendon Street, Boston 02116 617-267-6264 http://www.namispa.com Pyara Spa & Salon 104 Mount Auburn Street Cambridge 02138 617-497-9300 http://www.pyaraaveda.com Rosaline’s Skin Care & Spa 1426 Beacon Street, Brookline 02446 617-739-2392 http://www.rosalinespa.com Spa Christine 699 East Broadway, Boston 02127 617-269-0019 http://www.spachristine.com

resource Directory HEALTHResources BLOOD PRESSURE

Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-cancer/DS00328 Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center http://www2.massgeneral.org/cancer/crr/types/breast/ breast.asp

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_ WhatIs.html http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/chdblack

Pink and Black Campaign http://www.bphc.org/pinkblack

MedlinePlus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000468.htm

Risk assessment of breast cancer http://www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool http://www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu/hccpquiz.pl?lang=en glish&func=home&quiz=breast

Interactive Tools and Tutorials http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/hypertension/htm/ index.htm 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

BREAST CANCER National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast Dana Farber http://www.dana-farber.org/pat/adult/breast-cancer/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast MedlinePlus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breastcancer.html Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation http://www.komen.org breastcancer.org http://www.breastcancer.org

CANCER American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org 800-ACS-2345 (227-2345) 617-565-7400 Dana Farber http://www.dana-farber.org/can/default.html National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov 800-4-CANCER (422-6237)

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010 63

resource Directory HEALTHResources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/index.htm MedlinePlus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ cancers.html

CERVICAL CANCER American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org Dana Farber www.dana-farber.org/cervicalcancer 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://www.preventcancer.org/ education2c.aspx?id=116 MedlinePlus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ cervicalcancer.html Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center http://www2.massgeneral.org/cancer/ crr/types/gyn/cervical.asp Brigham and Women’s Hospital http://www.brighamandwomens. org/healthinfo/cervicalcancer.aspx 64

Exhale • Spring 2010

CHOLESTEROL National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ Hbc/HBC_WhatIs.html MedlinePlus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/ article/000403.htm American Heart Association http://www.americanheart.org/presenter. jhtml?identifier=1516 Interactive Tools and Tutorials http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/ managingcholesterol/htm/index.htm Healthy Eating http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/ other/chdblack

COLORECTAL CANCER American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org 800-227-2345 http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/ content/CRI_2_6X_Colorectal_Cancer_ Early_Detection_10.asp Dana farber http://www.dana-farber.org/pat/adult/ gastrointestinal-cancer/default.html National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/ types/colon-and-rectal 800-4-CANCER MedlinePlus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ tutorials/coloncancer/htm/index.htm Tutorials Colonoscopy — http://www.nlm.nih. gov/medlineplus/tutorials/colonoscopy/ htm/index.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colonoscopy/MM00010 Sigmoidoscopy — http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ tutorials/sigmoidoscopy/htm/index.htm Digestive System — http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ digestive-system/DG00021

DIABETES American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org Centers for Disease Control And Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/index.htm

EXERCISE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/ guidelines/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/ getactive/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/ measuring/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/health/ index.html

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov

Dana farber Cancer Institute http://www.dana-farber.org/can/monthly-spotlights/ cancer-and-exercise/

Risk Tests for Diabetes http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp http://www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu/ hccpquiz.pl?lang=english&func=home&quiz=diabetes

Videos for Strength Training http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/videos/ index.html

Video: Blood sugar and insulin http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-sugar/MM00641

Strength Training for Older Adults http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/ growing_stronger/index.htm

Daily Recipes http://www.diabetes.org/recipeoftheday.jsp?

WTLPromo=HOME_rotd&vms=226577122267 African Americans and Diabetes http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/Control_ABCs_ AfricanaAm.pdf http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/ africanamericans.jsp Healthy Eating Tips http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/ africanamericans/healthy-eating-tips.jsp

American Heart Association http://www.americanheart.org/presenter. jhtml?identifier=1200013 Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ01676 The Basics of Exercise http://www.healthfinder.gov/prevention/ViewTopic. aspx?topicID=22 http://www.myexerciseplan.com/assessment

exhalelifestyle.com • Spring 2010 65

Special Event Management

Celebrating 20 years of providing quality Special Event Management and Consulting in the Greater Boston area.

Now serving Boston, Martha’s Vineyard and Sarasota FL.

Barbara E. Edelin,President PO Box 1541 115 Pondview Drive Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 p: 617.480.7828 f: 508.693.2125 e: bedelin@aol.com www.bedelinevents.com

We are proud to support

and The Bay State

Banner 66

Exhale • Spring 2010