Stride October 2014

THE FIGHT against cancer

Their journeys are different, but the end goal is the same: beat cancer.

October 2014

meet the

TEAM

team

meet the

EDITOR

I

t’s hard to believe another month has come and gone and my favorite season is already here! There’s something so perfect about the smell in the air and the feel of a hot cup of coffee in your hands. Then comes winter. But we won’t talk about that yet.

This month’s issue is packed with columns that I had a blast reading and stories I was honored to write.

I met a woman who started bodybuilding at age 55 (pg.

36), visited Homeward Animal Shelter in the midst of their name change (pg. 12) and I’m finally convinced that the “sell by” dates on food don’t mean that’s when they expire (pg 10).

My mom will be really happy about that one.

Normally October’s issue is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but this time we decided to

4

Stride • October 2014

try something different. We showcased six unbelievable fighters who have won or continue to fight their battle with various cancers. I am amazed at the resilience each one of them exhibited, from 8-year-old Layne conquering osteogenic sarcoma to 83-year-old Ray who has lived with prostate cancer for 21 years.

Every single one of them had something in common: they continue to live life with a smile on their face. How someone acts in the face of adversity says a lot about their character – and trust me, these six have a lot of character.

For all of them to open their hearts and share their stories is something I cannot describe. I am honored to say I met them.

Special thanks to Sanford Health and Essentia Health for connecting me with these incredible people.

Every month, Spotlight Media brings you Stride, Fargo Monthly, Bison Illustrated and Design & Living Magazine. Here are the people who make these wonderful mags.

MIKE

JESSE

TRACY

KRISTEN

MICHAEL

HEATHER

GIGI

CRAIG

BOUGIE

SARAH

JOE

BRENT

GEORGE

NICK

CODEY

LISA

PAUL

ANDREW

Lisa Marchand

Stride is published 12 times a year and is free. Copies are available at over 1,000 Fargo-Moorhead locations and digitally at fmspotlight.com.

OCTOBER 2014 Publisher

Spotlight Media LLC. www.spotlightmediafargo.com President/Founder

Mike Dragosavich Editorial Director

Andrew Jason Editor

Lisa Marchand Graphic Design

Sarah Geiger, George Stack Research/Contributors

Lisa Marchand, Baylye Anderson, Stephenson J. Beck, Julie Garden-Robinson, Ashley Sornsin Copy Editors

Gigi Wood, Baylye Anderson

SPOTLIGHT MEDIA General Manager

Brent Tehven

Circulation Manager

Craig Holmquist Marketing/Sales

Tracy Nicholson, Paul Bougie, Kristen Killoran, Paul Hoefer Circulation Manager

Codey Bernier Administration

Heather Hemingway Web Developer

Nick Schommer Photography

J. Alan Paul Photography, Tiffany Swanson Delivery

Chris Larson, George Stack, Payton Berger, Hal Ecker

™

Spotlightmedia

CONTACT 502 1st Ave N Ste 100 Fargo,ND 58102 701-478-7768 info@spotlightmediafargo.com

Stride Magazine is published by Spotlight Media LLC. Copyright 2014 Stride Magazine & fmspotlight.com. All Rights Reserved. No parts of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission of Stride Magazine & fmspotlight.com. Stride Magazine & fmspotlight.com will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions found in the magazine or on fmspotlight.com. Spotlight Media LLC., accepts no liability for the accuracy of statements made by the advertisers.

CONTENTS

8 19 8

14 19

Healthy Meals Eating out doesn’t have to ruin your diet. We found five places to get a healthy meal. Now you can enjoy a night out without feeling guilty.

10

Can I Still Eat This?

Dr. Julie Garden-Robinson quizzes you on the age-old question and schools you in “sell by” and expiration dates.

You’re welcome.

12

The Fight Get to know six brave patients who have won or continue their battle with cancer. Anne, Jason, Ray, Megan, Fran and Layne will inspire you with their stories of strength and smiles.

32

Support Groups Dr. Stephenson J. Beck explains what you can do to support a person fighting cancer and shows us some of the support groups in Fargo-Moorhead.

Charity of the Month Homeward Animal Shelter, formerly Humane Society FargoMoorhead, rebrands and expands their dog training programs while remaining your local animal adoption spot.

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36

36

A Day in the Life of a Nurse Practitioner Jessica Kuhn of Essentia Health walks us through a day in the life of a nurse practitioner.

Fitness Profile: Twila Keim Meet a lawyer-turned-bodybuilder who began competitive bodybuilding at the age of 55. She is the only person in North Dakota to hold her IFBB Pro Card.

40

Ashley’s On Field Workout Ashley Sornsin shares a football-inspired workout and her favorite (healthy) tailgating recipes.

Get Involved Email info@spotlightmediafargo.com with your story ideas.

Check out fargomonthly.com for additional stories.

Find us on Facebook by going to facebook.com/fmstride.

Follow us on Twitter @fmstride.

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Stride • October 2014

Nutrition

places to get a

healthy meal

Really

It’s sometimes hard to make healthy decisions when it comes to food, especially when eating out. Here is a list of five tasty, healthy options when you’re on the go, eating out with friends or simply don’t feel like cooking.

By Baylye Anderson

|

Cracked Pepper crackedpepperdaily.com 4955 17th Ave. S, Fargo | 701-356-0039

If you’re sick of fried food, then you’ll be relieved to hear that Cracked Pepper doesn’t even have fryers in the restaurant. All recipes are made from scratch, including fresh baked bread.

The menu is always changing with a new lunch item served hot each week. Soups and salads are available year-round and spruced up with seasonal fruits and veggies. Try out the Mandarin Chicken Salad, made with fresh romaine and spring mix, oven baked chicken and dressing like ranch or vinaigrette that’s made in house.

Photos by Stride Staff

Josie’s Corner Café Facebook: Josie’s Corner Café and Bakery 524 Broadway N, Fargo 701-234-0664 With cold weather on the horizon, a steamy bowl of soup will soon be on your mind. Josie’s Corner Café offers a different soup made fresh each day and a new pasta almost every other day. These healthy and hardy meals might help you forget the dropping temperature (at least until you go outside next.) If you are still craving that taste of summer, Josie’s also offers gluten-free lettuce wraps made with fresh veggies.

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Stride • October 2014

People’s Organic peoplesorganic.com 2653 46th St. S, Fargo | 701-356-6454 Whether your ideal meal is healthy, sustainable, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, locally grown or homemade, you can find it at People’s Organic. They serve breakfast all day, and you can also get your caffeine fix from the organic fair trade coffee bar. For a unique salad experience, try the Santa Fe Salad with organic brown rice, kale, homemade guacamole and hummus, radishes, cucumbers, roasted tomatoes, scallions, micro greens, kalamata olives, sunflower seeds, harissa and lemon-herb vinaigrette.

Smiling Moose Deli smilingmoosedeli.com 2877 45th St. S, Fargo | 701-277-8800 102 Broadway, Fargo | 701-478-1100 Smiling Moose Deli’s large menu contains a wide variety of signature sandwiches, soups and chopped salads. Picky eater? No problem! Smiling Moose also features a build-yourown sandwich and salad menu. Proteins are hand sliced and fresh veggies are hand cut every 24 hours. There is also a full gluten-free menu available, which the well-trained staff have perfected. Every meal you get from Smiling Moose will be made with carefully selected, high end products that will leave you feeling as good as it tastes.

Z!ng Dinner in a Dash zingdinner.com 3241 42nd St. S, Fargo 218-251-8757

Going out to eat is no longer the only option for those with a busy lifestyle. Instead of stopping via drive through, stop by Z!ng Dinner in a Dash. Ordering is quick and easy when you download their mobile app. Once your order is put in, Z!ng assembles it for you with fresh homemade ingredients and then you simply warm it up. Pick it up, heat it up and eat it up.

A healthy dinner has never been easier.

Nutrition

Can I

still eat this?

Are You Savvy About Food Storage?

“If it walks out of your refrigerator, let it go.”

Of course we do not want our foods to reach the point of locomotion, but once in a while a container of leftovers might get pushed to the back of the refrigerator and reach an unrecognizable form. When you open the cover, the appearance of the food might be a little frightening. You might be tempted to fling the food out the nearest window.

By Julie Garden-Robinson Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography

Try This Quiz

USE OR TOSS?

How much do you know about food storage and food product dating?

1. You plan to bake chocolate chip cookies and you noticed that the sell by date on the eggs was five days ago.

use

JULIE

GARDEN-ROBINSON Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D.

Julie is a professor and Food and Nutrition Specialist with the NDSU Extension Service.

toss

2. You cooked some hot dogs and found a bottle of ketchup in the back of your refrigerator. The ketchup was used at a graduation party three months ago.

use

toss

3. You noticed the milk in your refrigerator has a date that passed two days ago.

use

toss

4. Last year you took a bread-making course, and you came upon the yeast you purchased.

The date passed two months ago.

use

toss

5. Your cousin visited with her baby a month ago and she forgot some unopened liquid baby formula in your cupboard. The date on the formula was three weeks ago.

use

6. You found a bottle of ranch dressing in your refrigerator, and it is five months past the “best if used by” date.

use

Stride • October 2014

toss

7. Your friend brought you a casserole, and you ate some of it right away. Now the leftovers have been in the back of your refrigerator for three days.

use

toss

8. You found a can of green beans in your cupboard. You had marked the date of purchase on the label, and you note that it was three years ago.

use 10

toss

toss

If you have some extra canned food to use, try this easy recipe.

Microwave Chicken Tortilla Soup

THE ANSWERS

In some cases, the best answer would be “it depends” since we do not know all the details. With that disclaimer, here are the basic rules:

1. Use. Eggs have a “sell by” date and are safe to use three to five weeks beyond that date. Keep eggs in the main part of your refrigerator, where it is cooler.

5. Toss. Baby formula has an expiration date and should not be used beyond the date for safety and nutrition reasons.

2. Use (unless you notice mold or other signs of spoilage). Opened containers of ketchup generally remain tasty and high quality for at least three months in your refrigerator.

6. Toss. The “best if used by” date is a quality date, and you should try to use the food by this date to be most satisfied with the flavor and appearance. Safety can become an issue after awhile.

3. Use (but sniff first). As long as the milk was kept cold and has no questionable aromas, it can be consumed up to seven days beyond the sell-by date. Be sure to put the milk back in the fridge right after you pour a glass of milk, though.

7. Use. Properly stored leftovers are safe to eat three to four days after preparation, but be sure to put your food in shallow containers and refrigerate promptly. For added safety, heat leftover casseroles to an internal temperature of at least 165 F.

4. Toss (but this is not a safety issue).

Yeast often carries an “expiration” date where it no longer does its leavening job as well as fresh yeast.

If you are going to bake bread, start with fresh ingredients so you end up with a quality end product instead of a door stop.

8. Use. As long as the can is intact and not bulging, canned vegetables are safe for two to five years according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, acidic foods, such as canned tomatoes and fruit, should be used within 18 months.

ingredients • 1 (14-oz.) bag whole-kernel corn, frozen • 1 (15-oz.) can black beans • 1 (15-oz.) can kidney or cannellini beans • 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes, no sodium • 1 (4-oz.) can green chilies, chopped, drained • 1 (14.5-oz.) can chicken broth, low sodium • 1 (10-oz.) can chunked chicken • 1 (10-oz.) can cheddar cheese soup (reduced fat and/or sodium) • Optional toppings: Crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes

directions Open all the cans. Drain and rinse beans in a strainer. Place all ingredients in a large microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Cook on high for 18 minutes, stirring three times or until chicken is heated through. Serve.

Consider These Tips:

Buy what you need.

Sometimes the large “economy size” container is not the better deal. If you throw away food, you are throwing away money.

Mark the date of purchase on the package with a permanent marker connected to your refrigerator. Operate like a grocery store or restaurant and “rotate your stock.” Be sure to arrange your food in “first in, first out” order.

Be sure your refrigerator maintains food temperatures at 40°F or lower. Be sure your freezer is set at 0°F or lower.

Alternative directions: Place in a large pot on the stove and heat thoroughly.

Refrigerate leftovers or freeze in mealsized portions if you will not use the leftovers within three to four days.

nutrition facts Makes 10 servings.

Each serving has about 170 calories, 4 g fat, 22 g carbohydrate, 13 g protein and 520 mg sodium.

Visit ag.ndsu.edu and search for more free resources.

11

community

of the

Charity Month Homeward Animal Shelter It has been two full years since an adoptable dog or cat has been euthanized in the FargoMoorhead area. This incredible milestone is due in large part to Homeward Animal Shelter, formerly known as Humane Society Fargo-Moorhead.

By Lisa Marchand Photos by Tiffany Swanson

Information Homeward Animal Shelter 1201 28th Ave. N, Fargo homewardonline.org 701-239-0077

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Stride • October 2014

Since 1966, the local shelter has been serving the FM community, and it has been just that: local. Never in its 48-year lifespan has it been associated with the Humane Society of the United States, a common misconception that Executive Director Nukhet Hendricks hopes to dissolve.

Homeward Animal Shelter and HSUS have entirely different missions, and Homeward has never received funds from the national organization, Hendricks said at an August press conference.

“We have served the local animals in our community, we have served the local families in our community and we have been run and (are) being run by the local donations in our community,” she said. “We are not associated and have never been associated with the Humane Society of the United States. We just needed to clarify that confusion. We are your animal shelter, and we will always be.”

Moving forward, Homeward will continue its clear mission to rescue, shelter, protect and rehome area pets from the Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead animal pounds. If stray animals are not reunited with their owners in the three- to five-day window required, they stand the chance of being euthanized.

That’s where Homeward Animal Shelter comes in.

They currently have nine dog kennels, six

kitten kennels and 17 adult cat kennels that Shelter Director Heather Clyde said are almost always at full capacity. But thanks to foster home volunteers, Homeward is able to have just as many pets in foster care.

“It literally is a life-saving thing to be able to adopt the animals out to loving families so that we can continue rescuing more from the local pounds,” Clyde said.

In a given year, she said Homeward sees up to 650 pets come through their doors, some of which they transfer to other area rescues like Cat’s Cradle and 4 Luv of Dog. Homeward now has an on-staff dog trainer who will teach the sheltered pets basic commands before they join their future families. The trainer will pay an in-home visit to the family within 14 days of adoption to ensure a smooth transition. They will also begin offering private and group dog training sessions to the general public.

The shelter’s name has changed, but their mission has not. Homeward will continue orchestrating adoptions after they have microchipped and spayed or neutered the rescued animals.

“Most importantly, we are establishing ourselves,” Hendricks said. “We are your shelter, we take care of your animals, we are committed to that mission and we will be doing this until every animal has a home.”

day in the life

NURSE PRACTITIONER Jessica Kuhn

- in the -

Jessica Kuhn loves her job. The Essentia nurse practitioner gets to treat an array of pediatric patients every single day, and for her, it doesn’t get any better than that.

The Role of a Nurse Practitioner

By Lisa Marchand | Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography

“I just love working with kids. I love the newborns all the way up to the adolescents. It’s a wide variety, but at the same time I’m sticking to kids, children.”

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Stride • October 2014

As a nurse practitioner, Kuhn sees her own patient population. She is not an extension of the physician, nor is she a physician’s assistant; there is a degree of independence that Kuhn said some are unclear about.

“The physicians see their own patients. Sometimes we cross over, so if they can’t get into me they might see a physician, and if they can’t get into their physician, they might come to see me,” she explained. “We work as a really good team, so if we have questions we always bounce things off of each other. But at the same time, we’re very independent and kind of practice in our own ways.”

A physician’s assistant must have a physician to sign off on things such

as writing prescriptions and ordering tests, while nurse practitioners in the state of North Dakota can do these tasks on their own.

There are two paths to becoming a nurse practitioner: earning a master’s or a doctorate degree. Kuhn chose the latter, and earned her DNP from the University of Minnesota.

“A lot of patients will ask, ‘Well what does that mean?’” she said. “For my program, being in a doctorate means that I have a lot more hours in practice prior to coming into this role, so actual hands-on with patients … It’s about a year longer, but a lot more in-depth.”

Working Mom Years of schooling and everyday interactions aren’t the only things that make Kuhn great at her job; she’s got kids of her own – two, in fact, and another on the way.

Her sons are 8 and 2, so she’s already had her fair share of truly hands-on experience.

“I think it makes me understand a lot more (of) what parents are going through,” Kuhn said. “When you’re a parent, you actually know what it’s like. Plus, I have a lot more insight as a parent as to what I might suggest.”

Kuhn performs a well visit on an 18-month-old patient, making sure his eating, sleeping and developmental habits are on track.

Every Day is Different But this soon-to-be-mother of three tries to just be “mom” at home. When her own kids are due for a checkup or a trip to the clinic, she lets her team members take care of it.

Kuhn admits that at the end of the day, it’s often difficult to leave the job where it belongs.

“I sort of have a set, ‘Okay, I’ve got to get out of here. I need to be home with my family at this time,’” she said. “I try to keep that pretty routine, because otherwise I think you could lose it pretty easily as far as, where’s my family life and where’s my work life?”

No two days are the same on the pediatric floor. Kuhn primarily sees patients who are there for well visits – from checking on a newborn’s feeding habits to giving high schoolers sports physicals. The blend of kids makes for a fun day, but it can also be the most challenging part.

“I think that’s good, but at the same time that makes it more difficult,” she said, “because sometimes you get into your mode of ‘Okay, I’m seeing healthy babies, healthy babies,’ and then a sick baby comes in, so you have to totally change your perspective on how babies looks and what’s going on with babies, and you ask way different questions and your

approach is totally different.”

In addition to her clinic hours five days a week, Kuhn is on call about five days per month. She also visits patients in the hospital one week out of the month, and she will occasionally see pediatric walk-in patients. Monotony is not in her vocabulary.

“I honestly couldn’t think of anything I would rather be doing,” Kuhn said. “I really enjoy working with the children here, and my job is very rewarding … I see kids when they’re sick, but then I see them when they’re healthy, too. I don’t know that I would pick anything else.”

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17

THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

No two journeys are the same. Meet three people fighting their cancer diagnosis and three who have already won the battle. From an 8-year-old wrapping up treatments for osteogenic sarcoma to a breast cancer “previvor,� the six of them share stories of chemo, courage and of all things, casseroles.

Written by Lisa Marchand & Andrew Jason | Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography

19

the fight

The Gift of Knowledge Anne L. Roberts

Her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 55. Her sister’s first bout with the disease began at 55. Anne L. Roberts tested positive for the BRCA1 gene when she was, strangely enough, 55.

TICKING TIME BOMBS In layman’s terms, this mother of three discovered she has a genetic mutation that severely elevates the risk for breast and ovarian cancers. She underwent prophylactic bilateral mastectomies, the removal of most her breast tissue, before she ever had the chance to receive a breast cancer diagnosis.

She knew it was not a matter of if – it was a matter of when. Anne is a “previvor.”

“They were ticking time bombs, as far as I was concerned,” she said. “If you knew you were going to have a car accident, there’s an 80 percent chance you’re going to have a car accident and be killed, you would take a different route. You would take the bus or you would walk, but you are not going to get in

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Stride • October 2014

that car and have that car accident.”

Her older sister fought breast cancer twice in seven years.

“I watched her go through this valiant fight, and she’s a real fighter and she’s my older sister and I really admire her,” Anne said, “but I thought, ‘That’s tough. Breast cancer is mean.’”

She said at times she felt like she was taking the easy way out. But she knew what she had to do: take the inevitable into her own hands.

“I felt empowered,” Anne said, “like I’m not kicking cancer with chemotherapy, but I’m taking charge here.”

POST-SURGERY EFFECTS One year after receiving her results, she had her bilateral mastectomies. It didn’t hit her at first, but she no longer had something that made her fundamentally a woman – breasts.

She was prepared for the physical effects of the surgery, but she was not prepared for the psychological.

Two years passed before she visited Sanford’s Just for Women Boutique, where she was fitted for her prostheses and a bra. She left with a rediscovered confidence.

Yet all around her she witnessed campaigns like “Save the Tatas” and events like Bras on Broadway, which she candidly addressed as sexist.

“I thought, ‘For some of us, we can’t save our tatas.’”

“It’s more important to save that life than it is the actual physical attribution of that woman,” she said. “ … We complain about

objectifying women and yet that’s what we use for breast cancer awareness.”

Anne said she has met other people who share a similar opinion, and even if they are in a quiet minority, they need to be heard, too. There are other ways to raise awareness.

“I think we’re powerful women, we are wonderful, we have knowledge, and we have wonderful words,” she said, “and we can find other ways of expressing (and) giving the same message.”

SPREADING THE WORD Since testing positive for the BRCA-1 gene, several of her family members have seen a genetic counselor. Although a person’s chances for carrying the gene are typically 50/50, about 75 percent of her family has tested positive.

A few have pledged to undergo the same surgery, while others are performing vigilant surveillance through regular mammograms and self breast exams.

But at this point in time, she has found few who can fully relate to her journey. She didn’t fight cancer, but chances are she would have.

The nearest BRCA support group, a national organization called Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, is located in Minneapolis.

She wishes one were closer.

“I hope other previvors out there, whether they choose to have surgery or not … they’ve got what I got,” Anne said, “and I would want them to be able to reach out to me or me to them. Nothing would make me feel more proud than to be able to help someone else and say, ‘You are not alone in this.’”

21

the fight

the courage ofLayne a man Billing Sometimes, true bravery can be found in small packages.

Layne Billing is proof of this. The 8-yearold has been battling osteogenic sarcoma since last November.

NOT KNOWING IS THE HARDEST PART It all started last fall when Layne’s parents, Kara and Bob, noticed Layne was walking with a limp and his hip hurt to the touch.

His parents wrote it off as growing pains.

However, one day while Layne was taking a bath, Kara noticed that his hip was swollen, so she took him to the doctor. An MRI led to a biopsy and several other tests. Once it was all done, Layne was diagnosed with bone cancer.

“It was hard to believe,” Kara said. “It took a long time to believe. You see it in little kids but you never think it would ever happen, but it did and he’s doing great. He helps a lot. There’s no way we could do it. He doesn’t fight going into the hospital. He’s like, ‘OK, let’s do it.’”

The Billings have become well acquainted with Dr. Nathan Kobrinsky and many other doctors and nurses at Sanford Health who, they say, have been a great help.

LIFE IN THE HOSPITAL

The life of hospitalization has become a habit for the Billings, as Layne goes in several times a month for treatments.

Along with chemotherapy, Layne must undergo many tests to check his blood, hearing and heart.

For the past 11 months, Layne has been in and out of the hospital. He has had several surgeries, numerous bouts of chemotherapy and spent weeks in the children’s hospital at Sanford in Fargo. Layne summed it up fairly well by saying, “It’s not very fun being in there.”

Despite everything Layne is going through, the family is staying optimistic. Last summer, Layne attended Kamp KACE in central Minnesota. Kids Against Cancer Everywhere is a free, weeklong program that allows children to go to summer camp with onsite nurses and doctors from Essentia and Sanford for any medical needs.

Layne’s activities don’t end there, though.

From going on an Outdoor Adventure Foundation with his dad to Lake of the Woods where he caught a rock bass that, according to Layne, “could easily be the biggest” in the state, to playing baseball and football, the 8-year-old is not letting the cancer slow him down.

“The nurses are pretty spunky around us, and Dr. Kobrinsky always has something up his sleeve,” said Kara.

STILL BATTLING Layne has a big personality and he stays positive about his treatment and prognosis.

However, despite the fact that Layne puts on a good face, he still faces many struggles with his disease.

“When people see us, they’re probably (thinking), ‘Oh, he’s doing good.’ He is. He’s doing pretty good for the most part,” said Kara. “There’s hard times when he is in the hospital and he is getting sick. A lot of people don’t see that. They just see him smiling all the time.”

The Billings are confident about Layne’s future. Although osteogenic sarcoma has a survival rate of about 70 percent, the family isn’t worried. After all, Layne has already shown how much of a fighter he is.

Layne was able to go to the College GameDay set in Downtown Fargo last month with Robbie and Dave from 107.9 and Miss North Dakota Audra Mari.

There he got to pose on the set and meet some of the GameDay crew.

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Stride • October 2014

23

the fight

power of a Casserole Jason Boutwell Jason Boutwell’s appendix burst while on vacation in Mexico last spring, but being a “typical stubborn guy,” he didn’t get it removed until eight days later. But he and his doctors soon discovered that it was much more than a routine appendix problem. This former NDSU football player and avid runner had cancer.

RANDOM CHANCE “That was one of the biggest surprises,” the 41-year-old said. “I’m a fit guy, I don’t smoke, I eat well, I work out like a banshee, and I get cancer. What in the world?”

Smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, chewing a risk factor for oral cancer, but there are absolutely no risk factors associated with appendix cancer.

“There’s nothing you could do if you wanted to get appendix cancer; nothing at all. You could eat asbestos, you could slather yourself in carcinogens, and it’s not going to give you appendix cancer,” Jason said. “It just kind of happens randomly.”

Random, indeed. Appendix cancer isn’t hereditary, and it only accounts for about one half of one percent of all intestinal cancers.

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Stride • October 2014

Jason has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment since May, and has experienced few side effects aside from fatigue and dry skin. He’s even been able to work during his chemo weeks when he’s up for it. He’ll wrap up treatments in mid-October, but until he reaches that five-year “No Evidence of Disease” mark, the fight isn’t over.

“There’s not really a finish line,” he said. “You don’t break the tape and slap high fives.”

BREAKING THE NEWS The day he received his diagnosis, Jason called his wife Chasity to share the news.

But she didn’t believe him. After all, her husband is notorious for being a jokester.

we’re fragile. We’re fragile people no matter how tough we might be.”

STEADFAST SUPPORT The Boutwell family has received an unending stream of support. At his May benefit, he expected about 150 people. Nothing prepared him for the crowd of more than 1,000.

“It was unbelievably humbling to have people just crawling out of the woodwork,” Jason said. “As a person, most people will never have the opportunity to recognize what a group of support they have until they go through something like this.”

But he was telling the truth, and the next hurdle was telling their four children: 14-year-old Caden, 12-year-old Tate, 8-yearold Ty and 6-year-old Ellory.

And thanks to his friends and family (and the help of mealTrain.com,) Jason and his wife didn’t have to cook a meal from mid-February to mid-July. For someone who spends so much of his time giving to others, being on the other side was an adjustment.

“There was a lot of anxiety associated with how am I going to tell my kids? I don’t want to scramble their eggs too bad by giving them something that’s maybe going to put them into a tailspin.”

“The hardest part wasn’t the cancer diagnosis or anything else. That was hard, too, but the hardest part – jeez, I’d break down every time somebody would bring a spaghetti casserole over,” he said with a laugh.

But the Boutwell kids have been doing remarkably well. He makes an effort to appear as healthy and strong as possible so his kids understand that their dad is going to be just fine. Even a baseball straight to the chemo port in his chest couldn’t stop him.

As the end of his treatment approaches, Jason’s got big plans. No longer will he work those 60-hour workweeks as an IT sales consultant. But the biggest plan of all is for his kids.

“I’ve got this confidence that I’m going to beat this thing,” Jason said. “Obviously I’m not going to beat it -- I’m going to do it with the help from the oncologist and the folks over at Roger Maris and the doctor in the sky. That’s what gives me the confidence, not the fact that I’m strong, I’m tough, because really we’re not … You might have an ego for a while, but really something like this is just a lightning-strike reminder that

“My No. 1 job in life is to get my kids to heaven, I’ve always said,” he said with tears in his eyes. “I took that job pretty seriously before, but they’ve had the opportunity to see God act out his faith and live it. They get an opportunity to see me fight the fight, and not many kids get a chance to do that. So I think that’ll have an impact on their life, and I think that’s probably one of the most positive things to come from this.”

25

the fight

26

Stride • October 2014

skin champion Megan McManus Megan McManus has never stepped foot in a tanning bed.

She spent most of her childhood indoors as a dancer. But when she was 15 years old, she was diagnosed with stage III malignant melanoma.

HIGH SCHOOL WHIRLWIND The news came after months of struggling to get rid of what doctors thought was acne on the left side of her face. She spent most of 2005 covering it with a Band-Aid, until it was finally removed and sent in for testing. It wasn’t acne at all – it was a malignant tumor that had virtually no visible signs of typical melanoma.

Suddenly the high schooler was at Mayo Clinic undergoing surgery. Then, she was back in Fargo at the Roger Maris Cancer Center.

“You kind of don’t really have time to catch your breath until you’re sitting in your first chemo appointment and you’re getting hooked up and you’re like, ‘Okay, this is happening.’”

She began her first bout of chemo that fall and was told it would end in April. To a 15-year old girl, that was the worst news imaginable.

“That timeline did not work with me,” Megan said, laughing. “I was sobbing, not because I

had cancer, but because I thought I was going to lose my hair and I wasn’t going to have hair for prom.”

In retrospect, she knows it was a crazy thing to worry about. But at that age, those were issues that mattered. Fortunately, Megan didn’t lose her hair; it thinned out, and lots of people pitched in to give her an incredible prom experience.

Her entire sophomore year was filled with people helping out. Some Shanley classmates got her Letterman’s jacket and had her letters sewn on. Her teachers reworked assignments to cross subjects, and her middle school teacher Gail Ringey volunteered two hours every day to help Megan with homework.

Megan finished chemotherapy that spring, and was on track to graduate high school on time and was headed towards remission.

SCARE AFTER SCARE But the fight wasn’t over. The day she learned her tests were clear, her dad received his own news. He had been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer.

Megan and her family sped up her Make A Wish trip, and they spent their final family vacation and Megan’s 16th birthday at Disney World. He passed away November of her senior year.

Then, the summer after she graduated, Megan’s doctors thought she relapsed. She underwent extensive surgery and had lymph nodes removed near her left ear and down her neck.

She missed her college orientation at NDSU, but she completed school without another big scare. But in 2012, the doctors thought she had relapsed once more.

“The first time they thought I relapsed, that

was super frustrating. I had had enough of it, I was done with chemo, my dad had just passed away, I had just had enough of it,” Megan said. “But the second time around, … I was just kind of like, ‘If this is what’s supposed to happen, this is what’s supposed to happen. I beat it when I was 15 and I’m 22 now, so clearly I can probably beat it again, and maybe I can beat it in half the time.’”

Fortunately, it was mononucleosis, and she remained cancer-free. “It really changes who you are as a person, just growing immensely as a person and realizing your strength and all these things that you can overcome. Not only overcoming your own cancer, but losing family members to cancer and still being able to bounce back from that.”

SUN SAFETY Now the 24-year-old’s plate is piled high with four jobs: she’s a nanny, preschool teacher, part-time employee at Thunder Road and assistant director of a summer camp. Yes, a summer camp.

As a melanoma survivor, Megan is a large advocate for sun safety in every sense of the word. She’s the go-to person when someone in her life has questions about sunscreen, SPF swimwear and makeup, and spray tans.

“I have very much a stigma on me: ‘Well she must have got it because she went tanning so much,’” she said.

When people take the time to ask how it happened, she doesn’t sugarcoat it.

“No, I didn’t go tanning and no, I didn’t get sunburns. It can still happen to people that do take preventive measures. Luckily if you are preventive, you have a lesser chance, but still, if things are popping up, don’t be nervous to go in and get it removed. You just need to go do it.”

27

the fight

28

Stride • October 2014

keep on going Ray Bartholomay Ray Bartholomay was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was 63. The lifetime North Dakota farmer is still battling the disease 21 years later.

The 84-year-old makes the one-hour drive from Sheldon, N.D., to Essentia Health Fargo every time he has an appointment, but he doesn’t mind. He said he likes the view.

THE GAMUT OF TREATMENTS Ray has experienced his fair share of cancer treatment options the past two decades. After surgery at Mayo Clinic failed to catch all the cancer cells, he began his long journey of treatment.

It started with shots to his stomach; he tried pills, and then he tried different pills after that. He’s been through chemotherapy, yet has never been in complete remission.

But for someone who has been farming and ranching his entire life, the treatment has never been too bad.

“Nothing I couldn’t stand,” Ray said with a sly grin.

He is now the only cancer patient at Essentia receiving radiation injections. There are few routes to take after that.

“Well I’m not through with it yet, but I’m not going to let it get me down, or I’m not going to worry about it,” Ray said. “I’m to the end of the treatments. The doctor says there’s no more treatments for me. I couldn’t possibly go back on chemo … although I surely would to prolong my life.”

Even if he did stop receiving treatments, he’d probably still come back to visit. Ray and the oncology staff at Essentia have become well acquainted over the years. He even received a birthday cake from the nurses last year, so needless to say, he’s a popular guy.

“I know,” Ray said through a laugh.

KEEPING (VERY) BUSY “I don’t think there has been a hard spot,” he said. “I can’t go hunting as I used to, I can’t play baseball, can’t play softball, and I can’t farm like I used to.”

But true to his character, he keeps busy.

Every day he gets up to do his chores, like collecting eggs for breakfast and taking care of all his pets – chickens, donkeys and cats – to name a few. With the help of his sons, his 2500-acre property is well cared for, and so is his three-story farmhouse.

Lucky for Ray, most of his support system lives a short distance from his farm. Andy is a mile down the road, Dan is two miles away, Matthew lives nine miles from him and Naomi is 25 miles away.

He also has 19 grandchildren, and soon enough, he’ll be a great-grandfather of six.

Ray and his sons just helped nine of his grandkids enter a 4-H competition.

And he has plenty of other things to keep him going. Every special occasion, his house fills with almost 80 people -- especially on Christmas Eve for his annual oyster stew. Every 4th of July he brings his John Deere collection on parade, and he rarely misses a Sunday mass.

He doesn’t sit still very often, but his doctor encourages it. “He said, ‘You just keep on walking and exercising. If you don’t, you won’t get up and do anything; you’ve just got to keep on going.’”

29

the fight

the life of the town Fran Keaveny For Fran Keaveny, everything happens for a reason. When the longtime logistics engineer retired at the age of 70, she was living in Louisville, Ky. She made the move back home to Tintah, Minn., and six months later was diagnosed with lung cancer.

What stage the cancer had reached, she’ll never be sure; the doctors never told her.

All Fran knew was that her right lung was full and the cancer had wrapped around her esophagus. It was inoperable.

HAPPY CAMPER Fran isn’t just the life of the party – she’s the life of the town.

At first glance, a person would never guess she had ever conquered inoperable lung cancer, mostly because she radiates an undeniable energy. As one of 63 people living in Tintah, she’s the go-to hostess for any kind of party, especially in honor of the Kentucky Derby.

30

Stride • October 2014

She’s also running unopposed as the town’s next mayor, with her priest’s neighbor and brother-in-law serving as campaign managers. Not that she really had a choice; the town’s current mayor told Fran she would be a write-in candidate regardless. “So I’m running officially,” she laughed.

Not to mention her track record at family reunions. For the last 32 years, Fran and her family have reunited every year at the request of their late mother. She always seems to be on the winning team of the scavenger hunt. And as for the singing contest, she may or may not have access to the lyrics ahead of time.

During her cancer treatments, she kept her spunky attitude. Not even chemotherapy could keep her from taking her annual trip to Las Vegas with her sisters.

“I just enjoy life,” Fran said. “I enjoy my family; I enjoy my support group. I’m thankful that I have the faith that I have. I’m just a happy camper.”

FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS She endured at least a dozen sessions of chemo treatment and 30 rounds of radiation twice a day, an intense process that her doctors felt she was strong enough to take on. Fran’s strength stems from three main tenets: her faith, family and friends.

“When I was first diagnosed, I felt like it was a death sentence,” she said tearfully. “Father Mike, who lives across the street from me, anointed me. It was (a) good feeling, but I cried through the whole thing … My faith is very strong, and I believe that’s what has gotten me through this.”

As one of 10 siblings, Fran is not short on family support, either.

“It felt so great to have my sisters stay with me, or they brought me to Fargo,” she said of her treatment process. “You don’t realize how many friends you have until something like this happens, and that’s what kept me strong was my support group.”

For every chemo treatment, Fran wore a prayer shawl she received from friends in Kentucky. And to commemorate the dozens of cards she received from loved ones, one of her nieces compiled them into a scrapbook.

“I was very afraid of what was going to happen,” she said. “I’ve heard so many people get sick from chemo; that scared me. Radiation scared me because I didn’t know what the side effects were going to be … I was scared, and I’m still scared of it coming back.”

She finished treatments last fall, and has since had three follow-up scans. Each one has been absolutely cancer-free. Her oncologist told her it was as if nothing was ever there.

Fran said one thing she learned was to simply be ready for anything, every day. “I’m prepared for whatever happens the day that I wake up. That’s just how my faith is. I’m so strong in my faith, but other than that … I don’t think my life has changed. I still worry about cancer coming back, but like I said, I’m prepared for whatever they tell me.”

31

the fight

WhattoExpect

By Dr. Stephenson J. Beck | Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography

When You Attend a Support Group Everyone catches a cold sometime during his or her life. Your friends and family shower you with plenty of suggestions to “try chicken noodle soup” or “put a warm towel on your throat” because they know what you’re going through.

Such isn’t the case for individuals who have cancer. Even though cancer rates are rising, having cancer is still rare enough that immediate family and friends might not understand the way you are feeling. This may prevent cancer survivors from receiving the support they need or want.

Due to this unique circumstance, many doctors and counselors recommend attending cancer support groups. Based on my research over the past few years, here are a few things you can expect when attending a cancer support group.

Conversation in support groups is not all emotional.

The stereotypical image of support groups is a bunch of people crying, talking about their feelings and comforting one another. Although these behaviors do take place, the majority of conversation is often very task-oriented.

It is important to remember that most members who attend the meetings have already been dealing with the difficulties associated with discovering cancer. They are no longer trying to simply endure, but are hoping to figure out a way to survive and thrive. Support groups are a place to figure out how to do that.

Conversations may revolve around treatment options and pain management or how to handle doctors: “How did you get your doctor to prescribe that?” It also may revolve around helping family members and friends who themselves feel helpless.

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Stride • October 2014

Support comes in multiple, not-so-obvious ways.

First, seeing how others are struggling with cancer, and that they are struggling, often can be very affirming that the trials you have felt are part of the process. Cancer survivors often go through an “Is it just me?” experience.

In one group, a member was discussing how after her surgery she sometimes feels paralysis on the left side of her body. The facilitator of the meeting immediately said, “Ooooh!” At first this surprised me – why wouldn’t the facilitator put on a strong face for the speaker? But the facilitator had felt the pain of the member, and that was an important confirmation to the speaker that what she was feeling was indeed miserable. And it is OK to feel miserable sometimes!

Second, sometimes the giving of advice can be as therapeutic as the getting.

When we give others advice, it feels good.

And although participation is not forced or required at support group meetings, when we do participate it tends to get our brain and emotions going.

A good group facilitator can make all the difference.

Support group leaders have a difficult job. They encourage members to speak and divulge what is really on their minds, while also balancing the need to allow everyone to speak. They build trust among group members that conversation is confidential, because some of the feelings shared are so intimate that family members and friends aren’t even aware. Ideally, support group conversation is free flowing, but sometimes a leader needs to speak up and lead the conversation.

There are two types of support group facilitators: those that are professionally trained, and those that are cancer survivors and attended support groups over the years. Both types of support group leaders can be beneficial.

Professionally trained facilitators may help answer questions and concerns based on up-to-date medical advances.

Member-leaders are able to share from their own experiences. Sometimes you may have both types in one person, but it is always something to ask about in case you have a preference.

local Support Groups Breast Cancer Support Group for Lesbian Couples Thursdays | 7-8:30 p.m.

NDSU Family Therapy Center 1919 N University Dr. Suite C, Fargo Michelle at 218-231-8534

Caregiver Support Group Will meet as needed Roger Maris Cancer Center 820 4th St. N, Fargo Cheryl at 701-234-6486

Caregivers Support Group

Second Thursday of the month | 10-11:15 a.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church 210 7th St. S, Moorhead Tara at 218-233-7521

embrace Education Series

STEPHENSON

J. BECK

Ph.D., University of Kansas, 2008

Stephenson is an associate professor and director of graduate studies in the department of communication at North Dakota State University.

Dr. Beck has published articles on breast cancer support groups in Group Dynamics and Cancer Nursing. His expertise focuses on conflict, decision making and facilitation in group communication.

(Open to patients, families and health care professionals) Oct.-May, Third Thursday of the month | Noon-1 p.m.

Roger Maris Cancer Center 820 4th St. N, Fargo Jenna at 701-234-7463

FOURward Support Group

(Open to female breast cancer and gynecological cancer survivors) Second and fourth Thursday of the month | 2-3:30 p.m.

Roger Maris Cancer Center 820 4th St. N, Fargo Jenna at 701-234-7463

FM Breast Friends Support Group

First Wednesday of the month | 6:30-8 p.m.

Moorhead Public Library 118 5th St. S, Moorhead Pam at 701-640-6282 or Lisa at 701-412-1422

Look Good...Feel Better (Essentia)

Oct. 8 & Dec. 10, 2014 | 2-3:30 p.m.

Essentia Cancer Center 1702 S. University Dr, Fargo American Cancer Society at 701-433-7580

Look Good...Feel Better (Sanford) Nov. 5 & Dec. 3, 2014 | 2-4 p.m.

Roger Maris Cancer Center 820 4th St. N, Fargo Jenna at 701-234-7463

Nativity Church Cancer Support Group Every Monday | 10 a.m.

Nativity Catholic Church 1825 11th St. S, Fargo Sister Sharon at 701-232-2414

33

Please drink responsibly.

fitness

TWILA KEIM 36

Stride • October 2014

BODYBUILDER

Twila Keim remembers the first set of weights she bought. It was 1978, and she ordered them from a JCPenney catalog. Now 36 years later, she’s the only person in North Dakota to hold a Pro Card from the International Federation of Bodybuilding.

eim has been an athlete all her life, claiming the title of North Dakota hurdle champion from 1972 to 1974, earning Valley City State Female Athlete of the Year in 1978 and running the Boston Marathon in 1982. But Keim didn’t embark on her bodybuilding journey until the age of 55, only four short years ago.

K

I’m just going to keep trying.’”

When she and her husband moved to Fargo a few years back, she began working out and teaching yoga at the YMCA. Keim got to know a couple of women there involved in bodybuilding, and the spark was ignited.

With help from California-based nutritionist Kim Oddo, one of the world’s top trainers and nutritionists for bodybuilders, Keim stuck to a 3,000-calorie diet.

“I did some research,” the retired lawyer said, “and my husband and I decided to attend one (competition) in Minneapolis, and I said, ‘Wow, I’m so inspired. I have to do this.’”

So she went for it.

Currently, four categories exist for women in the sport: figure, bikini, physique and bodybuilding. She originally began competing in the physique category. Later she moved to the figure class, which focuses on overall muscle tone and firmness, skin tone, healthy appearance and a small degree of muscularity.

One competition led to another, and she continued moving up the ranks of her class.

“For me, it was a personal challenge after my first one. I just wanted to keep going,” Keim said, “and once I heard about getting a Pro Card, it made me think, ‘Okay,

To prepare for the 2014 National Physique Committee Masters National Championships, she endured a strict nutrition and workout regiment from November 2013 to July of this year. But it wasn’t the training that challenged her; it was the food.

“IT’S A GOOD CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO MAYBE MAKE A LIFESTYLE CHANGE AND EAT HEALTHY AND BECOME MORE FIT.” Month after month, she ate six meals a day that usually consisted of some combination of chicken, fish, eggs, sweet potatoes and vegetables. Even she admitted it got a little old.

“I spent many, many, many hours just shopping, buying chicken and figuring how to make it edible,” Keim said, “and grilling and washing vegetables and weighing and measuring and counting … The food preparation was endless.”

Keim trained five days a week leading up to the NPC Masters National Championship. As a certified American College of Exercise trainer, she had plenty of experience in weight training to prepare herself for the competition.

But as it approached, she enlisted the help of two YMCA trainers, Jason Fuller and Jeff Duerr. The two helped intensify her workouts in the final six weeks before the big day.

“It was like a nine-month marathon: training and eating and buying food and preparing and staying very regimented and then finally … wouldn’t you know?

It happened,” she said with a grin.

Keim took first place in her figure class for the Over 55 category, earning her Pro Card at last.

Although this self-proclaimed tomboy loves that bodybuilding gives her a chance to “prance around in a suit and some high heels,” it’s more than that.

“I thought, maybe I can inspire some other girls,” she said. “It’s a good chance for people to maybe make a lifestyle change and eat healthy and become more fit.”

What’s in store for Keim next is unclear; she may compete one more time and then retire. She may not. She will, however, continue teaching yoga at both YMCA locations and Family Wellness, and for now, remain the only person in the state to hold a Pro Card.

39

Fitness

Ashley’s

October Workout

On Field

T

ouchdown! Football season

is finally here. Athletes have been training hard day in and day out, always pushing to the next level. Their training is second to none and intense, to say the least. Even in the offseason, athletes work hard to improve their game on the field, with increased speed, power and endurance. There’s much to learn from their successful training plans and techniques.

Just because you don’t play football (or any sport) doesn’t mean you can’t train like an athlete. Sport agility and conditioning drills are for anyone looking for an amazing fat-burning and calorie-torching workout. For this month’s workout, it seems fitting to use some football-inspired drills.

Try this high intensity workout two to three times a week, with a day or two of rest between. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is modifiable by doing as many repetitions of the drill as you can.

Everybody up for the kickoff, because the march is on! *Remember to check with your doctor before starting any new fitness program.

By Ashley Sornsin Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography

40

Stride • October 2014

24-Minute Football Drill Workout: 1 drill 1 minute

rest 30 seconds

1. Split Line Jumps With feet together, jump right foot forward and split, so left foot jumps back, then quickly jump with feet center. Repeat on other side with left foot forward and right foot back, then center. Jump feet out to side and back together, at center.

After all 5 drills are complete, rest one minute, then repeat two more times.

2. Carioca (Karaoke) Drills This lateral drill takes a bit of coordination.

Begin by stepping right, then step with left foot behind right, step out again with right foot, and left foot steps in front and across. Continue this for 10 steps or as many steps you have space for and then switch and move left.

4. High Front Kicks Raise your right leg up and left arm out to touch toe as you kick.

Repeat with left leg and right arm.

“

Respect the training.

Honor the commitment.

Cherish the results.�

3. Jump Lunge Squats Lunge right foot forward, jump up and switch to left foot forward, then jump to center with feet together and complete two pop squats (jump feet out to squat down). Continue this sequence: right, left, two pop squats for 1 minute.

5. Burpee Pushup to Squat The burpee is a tough move, even without adding any variations. Here I add two variations to the burpee, a pushup and squat. Do a normal burpee, hands come down to floor, feet jump back together, then the variations: complete a pushup, chest comes to the floor, push back up quickly to propel your body up and into a low squat stance.

tailgating recipes 41

42

Stride • October 2014

Ashley’s

healthy tailgating food

These recipes are simple, healthy and delicious. You only need a few staple ingredients and you’ll be on your way to a healthier tailgate party. Enjoy!

Buffalo Ranch Popcorn This popcorn has a bit of a kick, yet it’s savory and quite addicting! A better option than chips and heavy, calorie-laden dips, this popcorn will soon become a staple at your tailgate and football parties.

ingredients • 1 bag microwave popcorn, popped (or 6 cups pre-popped popcorn like Skinny Pop) • 4 tsp Frank’s Red Hot Wings Buffalo Sauce • 1 tsp Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Mix

Directions Drizzle sauce over popcorn and sprinkle seasoning mix on top. Toss popcorn to coat. Serving Size: Several ­— but it’s addicting and will disappear quickly!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs Chocolate and strawberries: need I say more?

Semi-sweet chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate and paired with the sweetness of the strawberries, it’s a perfect balance.

Buffalo Chicken Spinach Pita Pockets Joseph’s Flax Oat Bran & Whole Wheat Pita Bread are some of the best on the market, nutritionally and taste-wise, and are so versatile. One pita has 60 calories, 8g carbs, 4g fiber, 0g sugar, 6g protein and 2g fat.

ingredients • Spinach • 4-6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or try BBQ pork or turkey taco meat) • 3/4 bottle Frank’s Red Hot Wings Buffalo Sauce • 4 Joseph’s pitas (cut in half = 8) • Optional: mozzarella cheese

Directions Cook chicken in crockpot with Frank’s Red Hot Wings Buffalo Sauce for 4-5 hours on high. Shred chicken using two forks and make sure chicken is coated with sauce. Add more sauce to desired taste. Cut pita in half, then stuff with spinach and chicken and add mozzarella cheese if desired.

Tailgate Veggies with Greek Ranch Dip Greek yogurt has more protein than sour cream and is a much healthier option. You won’t even notice the difference and you’ll most likely make this a permanent switch!

ingredients

• Strawberries • ½-1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips • ¼ cup white chocolate chips

• Celery • Cucumbers • Colored Peppers • Carrots • FAGE Greek Yogurt (35.3 oz) • 2 oz Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Mix

Directions

Directions

Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips (depending on how many “footballs” you want to serve) and dip strawberries in chocolate, place on wax paper until cooled. Melt white chocolate chips and add “laces.”

Cut veggies. Combine ranch seasoning mix with greek yogurt. Use 8 clear plastic cups, divide out 1/2 cup dip into each, and add veggies.

Serves: 8

ingredients

43