An Apple a Day February 2015

february 2015

Heart of the Home American Home Improvement owners share insight on family and togetherness pg. 12

Wellness For Life

It’s All About You When you feel good about yourself, you have a better outlook on life. Our caring and professional staff uses the best science has to offer to help you look and feel your best. We have many great options for every need and every budget. We also offer thorough, private consultations with a medical professional and every client is treated like an individual.

Dr. Robert L. Chappell, Jr. Dr. Ritchie O. Rosso, Jr. 432–580–8060 • www.lacpb.net

OUR ADVERTISERS front inside First Physicians

1 Heart Institute MMH

2 Laser & Aesthetic Center

2 Occasions Fine Jewelry

4 The Odessa Family YMCA

4 The Springboard Center 7 West Texas Orthopedics

10 Permian Cardiology, Inc.

15 Medical Center Hospital

17 Freedom Buick GMC Truck

18 Medical Center Health System

20 Other Remedies

20 Furst Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 20 Earlene Smith 22 Cooking with Kim

22 ORMC back inside National Cooling, Heating & Plumbing back cover Permian Basin Chevy Dealers

Wellness For Life

8

To advertise, contact Mary at 432–550–7339 Publisher Mary Hunt, Ha! Publishing Editor Evangeline Ehl Publication Manager Mary Hunt Sales Mary Hunt Writers Kim Clinkenbeard, CPT, FNS; Joy H. Coleman; Wendy Hilliard; Tatum Hubbard; Rodney & Karen Martin; Ben McCampbell; Earlene Smith Photography American Home Improvement, Hoist Fitness, Mark Swindler Design Sarah Fleck, Chantel Miller

11 5 ROC-IT: Bringing New Tech to Fitness at the Y

6 Lend a Helping Hand 8 Caution: CrossFit

21 Health & Beauty: Protecting Your Skin from the Sun 23 Get Fit With Kim: Unfriended by the Sandman

11 Beat the Winter Blues Have a great story idea for An Apple A Day? Submit your idea online at www.anapplemag.com.

3527 Billy Hext Road • Odessa, TX 79765 432 550 5998 • 866 550 7329 fax 432 550 7346 www.hapublishing.com The information in this magazine is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe, or cure any ailment. Always check with your physician before taking any products or following any advice you have read. Always consult your physician before you start, stop, or change anything that has been previously prescribed. All content herein is the property of Ha! Publishing and may not be reprinted or reproduced in any medium without the written permission of the publisher. Some art work is used at the sole discretion of the advertiser and is not created by Hunt Advertising.

12 Heart of the Home

24 Recipe: Southwest Chicken Salad Boats

14 A Hopeful Heart

ON THE COVER American Home Improvement owners share insight on family and togetherness, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

READ MORE ON PAGE 12

an apple a day february 2015

3

for youth development for healthy living for social responsibility

experience fitness at the odessa family ymca • Latest equipment and technology • Nursery care for members • Certified instructors and personal trainers • Fun classes to fit your schedule • No initiation fees or contracts 3001 e. university odessa, tx 79762 432–362–4301 • www.odessaymca.org

Are drugs or Alcohol destroying your life?

There is hope! Call today for help.

Programs and services: • Medical detoxification • inpatient residential • intensive outpatient • Aftercare Program • family Program • Alumni Program

432–620–0255 • springboardcenter.org 200 corporate drive Midland, tX 79705

ROC-IT: Bringing New Tech

to Fitness at the Y

by Wendy Hilliard

T

he weight room at the Odessa Family Y has that new equipment smell.

Contemporary black and yellow machines fill the spacious area. Unique, fun, and functional, these modern machines have members rocking their way to fitness.

“We wanted to start the new year with a fresh start,” said Odessa Family Y CEO Edward Moreno. “The ROC-IT line of equipment is cutting edge. This is something very few people have seen.”

Researched and developed by Hoist, the new line is not only safer, but entertaining as well. “They’re definitely fun. It’s like riding a roller coaster,” said Odessa Family Y trainer Jason Gomez.

Constructed to help stabilize joints and promote full range of motion, the ROC-IT line also activates core muscles by utilizing a built-in rocking motion.

For example, when using the chest press machine, participants are seated and aligned with the handles. As they press forward, the seat tilts back, the abdominals contract and shoulders track in alignment. Due to the distinctive design, heavier weights can be safely lifted without the worry of injury.

equipment adds torque and pressure to my bad shoulder. The ROC-IT lat pulldown kept my shoulders in alignment. I had no discomfort yet I felt I was working deep in the lats,” Moreno said.

Jo Anne Curry, a Y member for 25 years, is no stranger to the weight room. She has seen exercise equipment evolve over the years and welcomes the new technology. “I just love the new weight machines. They precisely isolate the muscle you’re exercising. The machine next to it works the opposing muscle group. It makes you want to keep moving. Moving is the best anti-aging treatment,” the 76-year-old said.

41-year-old Y member Joe Carreon likes the stabilizing aspect of the ROC-IT line. “All the machines are good for your back. They are smooth and feel good. My muscles get a great workout. The next day I can tell I worked them,” Carreon said.

Extra trainers will be available to help orient members to the new machines. Gomez predicts they will be in high demand. “We are the only ones in this area to offer the most variety of this type of equipment. We have both pin- and plate-loaded machines. These machines will keep you in the game longer.”

For more information, contact the Odessa Family Y at 432–362–4301.

“The ROC-IT machines position your body to stay in good form. Your whole body moves as you do the exercise. You’re not only lifting the weight you picked, but your weight as well. The equipment adapts to all sizes and safely takes you through full range of motion,” said Gomez.

Last year Moreno and several Y trainers traveled to Houston to sample the ROC-IT machines. “I tried the lat pulldown machine. Regular run-of-the-mill an apple a day february 2015

5

by Joy H. Coleman

A

nimal shelters are almost always full.

Sadly, many of those that are adopted are returned to the shelters as adults— and at least half of those are put to sleep.

You don’t have to be an animal expert to help out at your community’s shelter. You just need to have the time and desire to lend a helping hand. And it doesn’t have to be a lot of time, either. Whatever you do for a living, you’re bound to have skills and talents that your local shelter can use. You can help.

If you’d like to get involved here are 12 ways you can make a difference.

NEUTER YOUR PET The #1 way you can help your local shelter is to spay or neuter your own pet. No, they don’t need to breed. All domestic animals live long and healthy lives once The Humane Society spayed or fixed. Don’t a litter. If you estimates that between six have need financial help and eight million animals are spaying or neutering sent to animal shelters each your pet, contact your shelter as they year in the United States. local may have assistance programs.

Don’t let money stand in the way, because having more animals costs far more than spaying or neutering does.

DONATE MONEY Yes, they need money. Most local shelters are run by a loving group of low-paid staff and volunteers, with little money from government to make it work. Donating

6 february 2015 an apple a day

money helps tremendously. The funds you give can be spent on food, medical care, or advertising the pets’ availability.

EXTRA FOOD This item does require financial expenditure, but it doesn’t need to be bank breaking. All it requires is, as you’re doing your weekly grocery shopping, you pick up a bag of whatever quality dog food happens to be on sale that week and drop it by the shelter.

Over the course of 52 weeks a year, this adds up to quite a number of hungry dogs fed.

DONATE BLANKETS, TOWELS AND TOYS Can’t afford to donate cash? No problem. If you’ve got old towels, blankets, and sheets (flat, not fitted), leashes, collars, crates, animal toys and grooming products, most shelters have a never-ending need for them. Your old blanket might be the difference between the hard metal floor of a cage and comfort.

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME Love dogs but can’t have one? No problem. Head to your local shelter and offer to volunteer. You’ll get to spend plenty of time with dogs. Volunteers are the backbone of any rescue program or animal shelter.

Volunteers can transport animals to veterinary appointments, to their eventual forever home, can bathe, groom, clean cages, or help socialize them.

All that is needed is a heart full of kindness and general, basic skill with animals.

Continued on page 16

David Power, M.D. Specializing in total joint reconstruction

John C. Dean, M.D. Specializing in shoulder and general orthopedics

Your Premier Source for

Daniel G. Nelson, M.D., P.A. Specializing in general orthopedics

Orthopedics Services

David J. Mallams, M.D. Specializing in wrist and hand surgery

James Adams, M.D. Specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery

David Hester, M.D. Specializing in foot, ankle and general orthopedic surgery

WE HAVE SIX REASONS TO COME TO WEST TEXAS ORTHOPEDICS We’re West Texas Orthopedics. Our team has more than 100 years of combined experience as well as two locations serving the area. That all rolls up into one focus: you. We expertly and compassionately treat all sorts of injuries and orthopedic problems, helping our patients regain a quality of life and live pain free.

OUR TWO LOCATIONS: 4214 Andrews Highway, Suite 208 Midland, Texas 79703 432.686.0321

#10 Desta Drive, Suite 100E Midland, Texas 79705 432.686.0321

To learn more, visit us at westtexasorthopedics.com

by Ben McCampbell

O

kay, once again you’ve made your New Year’s resolution to lose weight and get into shape, and you say this year will be different. This year you’ll stick with it; you won’t quit! (By the way, if you can do that, you’ve won half the battle.) Now you’re wondering just how to go about it; you want to know which exercise program will give you the best chance at succeeding. One of the programs you’re considering is CrossFit, but you’ve heard varying opinions about it—some very positive, some very negative. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of CrossFit. First, exactly what is CrossFit, and how does it differ from other fitness programs? CrossFit is a comprehensive program that is designed to enhance all areas of fitness, including cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, stamina, flexibility, agility, balance, coordination, strength, power, accuracy, and speed. Other fitness programs train and emphasize many or most of these areas, but CrossFit has a philosophy that sets it apart; the workout is really, really hard, with almost no rest time between exercise sets. Each workout is an intense combination of different exercises, most 8 february 2015 an apple a day

of them timed, jammed into about 30 minutes.

The workouts are different every day—hence the name Workout of the Day (WOD)—and they are conducted in group settings with a CrossFit-certified instructor. In fact, participants typically exercise as an ongoing group; they get to know each other well, they motivate each other, and they compete with each other.

The other aspect of CrossFit is diet. The program emphasizes the Paleo diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables, lean protein (especially eggs, fish, and grass-fed meats), healthy oils (examples: olive, walnut, flaxseed, avocado), nuts, seeds, and complex carbohydrates. Foods to be avoided include cereal grains, legumes (including peanuts), dairy, potatoes, processed and overly salty foods, refined sugars and vegetable oils, and candy/junk foods. It’s a sensible diet that’s not really out of the mainstream, but it is somewhat restrictive for those of us who love M&Ms, peanut butter, and ice cream.

You’ve already identified some of the positive aspects of CrossFit, and there are many. The group

aspect of the program causes the participants to support and motivate each other. This results in CrossFit having very high adherence rates; once people get into the program, they tend to stay with it. Also, the competitive component of the program spurs people to push themselves, resulting in fitness levels that may surpass expectations. As mentioned above, CrossFit is led by trainers, which means each workout is organized and supervised. The cost for the program is less than hiring an individual personal trainer. Total fitness is the focus of the program, not just bodybuilding or cardiovascular.

WODs are conducted in a class environment, which is great for people who aren’t good at selfmotivating. High intensity interval training, which is the core of CrossFit, is a very effective and efficient way to gain strength and cardiovascular endurance. Resistance training, another component of CrossFit, offers many benefits for your physique and overall health. And with many of the exercises utilizing the person’s own weight to create the resistance, CrossFit enables a participant to do a workout anywhere. The program also emphasizes the importance of good nutrition as part of overall fitness and health.

It all sounds so good, right? Well, there are some reasons to consider CrossFit with caution. For one, it’s quite easy to become a Certified CrossFit trainer.

Level I certification requires only a taking a twoday course and passing a multiple-choice test.

This means that possibly not all of the program’s instructors are well-experienced trainers. CrossFit injury rates (as much as 19%) are substantially higher than those of most other fitness regimens.

Critics point to the use of Olympic (weight) lifting, the technique of which takes years to perfect, as one cause. Also, overtraining is common in CrossFit, and some workouts are so intense that herniated discs and muscle and tendon ruptures occur. When a workout is so concentrated as to be exhausting (very short or no rest between sets), proper form is difficult to maintain, increasing the risk of injury. In some CrossFit environments, there seems to be an atmosphere of making exercise more difficult rather than more effective, by utilizing exercises in ways that put unnecessary strain on certain joints, such as too much weight, increasing the number of reps, or speeding up the pace. The flip side of participating in an ongoing group with the benefits of support

and motivation is peer pressure within the group.

Sometimes this pressure results in participants pushing themselves too far with excessive weights or intensity.

With the emphasis on high-intensity exercise, CrossFit is not for everybody, including children, pregnant women, and seniors, all of whom can benefit from physical activity, but in a more moderate form.

Overweight people should also carefully consider whether or not to do CrossFit, because the program utilizes plyometric exercises like box jumps (jumping up onto a box from a standing position and then back down), which In short, CrossFit is place excessive force best for people who are on joints in people of already fit and want to normal weight, but even more stress on enhance their level of the joints of heavy physical conditioning. people. The program is designed more for fitness than for weight loss. In short, CrossFit is best for people who are already fit and want to enhance their level of physical conditioning.

If you’re considering joining a CrossFit group, here are some suggestions. First ask yourself three questions: 1.) Do you have a hard time motivating yourself to train on your own? 2.) Do you enjoy exercising in a group? 3.) Do you like to push yourself to the limit in every training session?

If your answers are all affirmative, then CrossFit may be for you. If you answered in the negative, then it’s probably best to look elsewhere for an exercise program more suited to your taste and personality.

If you decide to pursue CrossFit, visit a number of CrossFit gyms to see which one is a good fit Continued on page 20 an apple a day february 2015

9

Sirisha Yarlagadda, MD FACC joined practice in 2009

James Barnett, MD FACC joined practice in 1995

Your Premier Source for

Cardiology Services

Steven Brown, MD FACC joined practice in 1996

Proud to announce our new partner

Michael Miller, MD FACC joined practice in 1989

Leela K. Lella, MD

Permian Cardiology has provided excellent cardiac care to the Permian Basin for more than 35 years. Our board-certified cardiologists provide the latest technology, procedures and therapies to provide West Texas residents with exceptional, comprehensive cardiac care.

Visit us at permiancardiology.com for more information.

Come visit our office at: 400 Rosalind Redfern Grover Parkway, Suite 240 Midland, Texas 79701 432-683-2723

beat the winter blues

by Joy H. Coleman

N

ow that the holidays are over and we head into the dark and gloomy days of winter, don’t let the winter blues take their toll on you. After the holiday high of family time and festivities, you may find the January sadness setting in. If you’re one of 90-some percent of people, you’ve already fallen off the New Year’s resolution bandwagon, your bank balance is running low from costly Christmas gifts, and there’s no work holiday in sight for a few months.

It’s no wonder an estimated one in five Americans suffer from SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, often referred to as the winter blues. You may be sleepier than normal, not have the energy to socialize, and be craving carb-laden comfort foods.

While you should talk to your doctor if you feel depressed for several days and have lost interest in things you normally enjoy, there are plenty of doit-yourself remedies for the occasional case of the seasonal blues. Here are some of the best things you can do to get out of a funk.

TAKE YOUR VITAMINS With fewer hours of sunlight, our vitamin D levels drop during the winter months. While there’s nothing like getting some actual rays, a study from New York University found people with SAD saw improvements in their mood with supplementing with the vitamin. Dr. Andrew Weil recommends taking 2,000 IU of Vitamin D daily.

Another supplement which has been shown to help with seasonal depression is melatonin. The hormone helps regulate your sleep cycle, which can be thrown off by the shorter winter days.

There’s a different optimal time for everyone to take melatonin, so discuss with your doctor to find out what time of day is best to supplement.

Eat healthily. Increase complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables. Stay away from high sugar, excess fat and highly refined foods. Consider incorporating these into your diet: chili peppers which contain Morning light exposure capsaicin to boost is especially effective in energy and circulation; treating symptoms of ginger tea boosts your seasonal depression metabolism, increasing weight loss; and gingko biloba makes you more alert and boosts your brain power. Do not drink alcohol. Alcohol further depresses the mind and body, resulting in increase of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

EXERCISE Who wants to brave the cold to go to the gym when you could just as easily stay curled up on your couch with a warm drink and cozy blanket? But exercise can boost your mood, help you stay positive, and even boost your drained energy back up by upping your brain’s feel-good chemicals. Make the most of Continued on page 19 an apple a day february 2015 11

Heart of the Home A

by Rodney & Karen Martin

lthough we love our families yearround, Valentine’s Day encourages us to show it in an extra special way. And even though we try to be healthy “all” the time, the American Heart Association uses this month to send us extra reminders (little valentines if you will) about staying heart healthy in our diet and lifestyle. The “heart” is on our minds right now in one way or another and it got me and Rodney thinking back to why we started the business, and what we meant by our slogan “Improving the Way You Live.” We wonder if it should have been, “Family and Togetherness.”

We’ve always been grateful for the time we spend with our own family and friends—inside at the kitchen table or outside around the grill—and we wanted to help make a way for others to share in that same blessing with products that improve our spaces at home and encourage us to spend more time with each other. One of the most exciting reasons that the patios and grilling part of the business has been so much fun is because it brings families and friends together. Throughout my life I’ve realized that the heart of the home is wherever we’re together, and that’s really the core of how we hope to improve the way you live… by helping bring out the heart of your home.

12 february 2015 an apple a day

American Home Improvement is a family-owned business of over 20 years, and that is both good and hard at times (wink, wink). We’re not perfect, but we try our best and have been blessed with wonderful co-workers and vendors to bring West Texas the utmost in quality and integrity across all our products and services. We owe our success to the relationships we’ve had with great customers.

Thank you for allowing us to spend time with you and your family.

One last thought… we all know we need to eat better and stay healthy for ourselves and our loved ones and guess what? A healthy diet is lots more fun on an amazing patio and a way cool grill!

We wish all of you a Happy Valentine’s Day, and if we haven’t met you already we hope to soon.

God Bless.

Improving the Way You Live

Outdoor Kitchens • Patios & Grills Windows & Siding 432–550–7224 • info@ahi-texas.com 11220 Hwy 191 Midland, TX 79707 Between Midland & Odessa, the airport exit at 1788

Meet Our Team Rodney Martin Owner & Tractor Enthusiast

Karen Martin Owner & Superwoman

Donna Reeves Office Manager & Best Grandma

Angela Nunez Customer Service Guru

Maryann Kilpatrick The Hostess With The Mostess

Randy Martin Construction Manager

“Throughout my life I’ve realized that the heart of the home is wherever we’re together, and that’s really the core of how we hope to improve the way you live… by helping bring out the heart of your home.”

Marty Devries On-site Construction Manager

Casie Kennedy Designer, Accounts Payable/Receivables

Kelly Kennedy Outdoor Living Salesman

Sari Vanderveer Grill Store Manager

Arturo Maintenance & Warehouse Manager

Our Crews Construction Crews

an apple a day february 2015 13

A Hopeful Heart

by Tatum Hubbard, Show Host, Executive Producer, and CBS7 Evening News Anchor

B

y now we’ve stored away our cherished making my lists (and we know how I like lists!), and holiday decorations, set our sights on more about having a hopeful heart. some New Year goals to improve or change some part of our lives, and A hopeful heart gives the benefit of the doubt, it maybe we’ve even cleaned out a closet or two forgives, it offers grace and mercy for ourselves and started a new savings account. But more and our families, it seeks peace even without importantly, I pray understanding.

A that we’ve settled into hopeful heart loves A hopeful heart gives the benefit this new year with well. I wish you of the doubt, it forgives, it offers hopeful hearts. and yours a Happy grace and mercy for ourselves and Valentine’s Day with our families, it seeks peace even Our chores can weigh flowers and chocolate without understanding. us down, our goals can and everything else that overwhelm us and our makes it special to you. schedules can tend to knock us off center. But no And on top of all that, I pray for you and yours to matter how any part of our lives is going, we can have a hopeful heart in all things; that it would be persevere with a hopeful heart. an enduring wellspring of life on Valentine’s Day and every day!

Since February is Valentine’s month, we hear a lot of talk about love and romance…and we’re all about that here on the show! But as I live my own life, I’m realizing that loving others more and living my life better for myself and my family is less about

Tune In!

Weekdays at 4:30 pm Mondays at 9 pm Thanks to our partners who keep us going each week:

I’m

Playing My Best

Game Ever.

“Two heart attacks, an emergency flight to Odessa and a life-saving heart catheterization - all in less than 24 hours.

If it didn’t happen to me, I wouldn’t have believed it.

What the Cardiac Team at Medical Center Hospital did to save my life was… simply amazing.”

Mike Emmerson MCH Cardiovascular Patient

The MCH Center for Heart Disease features a complete cardiovascular treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation program, including: • Peripheral Vascular Suite • Electrophysiology Suite • State-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Labs • Most experienced Catheterization Lab in the region - 40 years experience - Over 65,000 cases • Cardiac Rehabilitation certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)

www.mchodessa.com

(432) 640-6000

Continued from page 6 SOCIALIZATION Shelter dogs are frequently afraid and uncertain.

Some have never had proper socialization, while others simply do not know whether they should trust their current environment or not. By volunteering to pet, walk, talk to, or groom the animals in the shelter, you are contributing greatly to their ability to adapt to their new homes to come.

FOSTER Shelters fill up and you can save an animal’s life by agreeing to shelter him in your home until a forever home can be found. You can even sometimes shelter a mom with Simply caring enough to newborn kittens which is about the most provide the next most needed fun you’ll ever have. thing is sometimes all that is “Fostering” acclimates necessary to save a worthy the animal to a “normal” home environment animal’s life. while freeing space for another animal to be rescued. Simply caring enough to provide the next most needed thing is sometimes all that is necessary to save a worthy animal’s life.

ADOPT Of course, this is one of the best things you can do. Skip the pet store and go to your local shelter to find your next family member. If you’re worried about the dog’s behavior, use the shelter’s fostering system as a way to find a dog or cat, because those animals have lived in homes with their foster families and have revealed their true personalities.

POST ONLINE This contribution is absolutely cost free. Feature that precious little kitten or puppy face on your blog for a day or on your Facebook page. It only takes a minute yet then all of your friends and relatives will be able to see the animal in need of a home. You never know who might be looking for a new pet to share their home.

PHOTOGRAPHY In this digital era, rare is the person who does not have a decent digital camera. Consider sharing your blessing with those less fortunate and using it to photograph the shelter inmates on a regular basis.

16 february 2015 an apple a day

Provide the photos to the staff to use as adoption photos on Petfinder.

GO TO SCHOOL! Dog school, that is. Grab a handful of treats, find a suitable canine and get to class. Helping teach shelter dogs to sit, stay, walk calmly on a leash, or shake paws will make them infinitely more adoptable. One humane society has a team of volunteers who play with puppies and take adolescent dogs to obedience classes.

ADOPT ASPCA’S MEET YOUR MATCH® Ask about the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match®. This is a program expertly designed to help adopters select the right pet for them. The program’s Adopter Survey and Canine-ality™, Puppy-ality™, or Felineality™ Assessment and fun color-coding system fit together like the pieces of a puzzle, creating pictureperfect adoptions for shelter animals and their new owners.

Donate or Volunteer Here are several shelters in the Permian Basin:

ODESSA Humane Society of Odessa 432–381–5503 Raven’s Friends 432–561–5412 Paws Cat Rescue Haven House 432–366–1030 City of Odessa 432–368–3526

MIDLAND Grand Companion Humane Society 432–684–7582 Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary 432–235–8516 Hope@noahsarkmidland.com Midland SPCA 432–684–7582 www.midlandspca.net SPCA: Lone Star Sanctuary for Animals 432–683–7387 http://lonestarsanctuary.org

Stroke Care of

the Highest Degree

MCH’s Stroke Program is proud to announce that it has earned the 2014 Stroke Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award with Target: Stroke Honor Roll from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, Get With The Guidelines program. This honor is only given to stroke programs that accomplish 24 consecutive months of adherence to quality and performance standards.

MCH also has the only Joint Commission certified Primary Stroke Center in the Permian Basin.

We’re honored to receive these awards for many reasons, but most importantly because they exemplify our dedication to you… the patient.

Get With The Guidelines – 2014 Stroke Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award with Target: Stroke Honor Roll by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association

Think FAST! Identifying a stroke can be difficult because it doesn’t present many identifiable symptoms. But you can learn to recognize if someone is having a stroke… just think FAST! Facial weakness - Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

Arm weakness - Can the person raise both arms?

Speech problems - Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

The Joint Commission Seal of Approval™: Stroke Program – Primary Stroke Center

Time to call 911 - Brain damage can occur in minutes, so you need to act fast and call 911 right away.

• 500 West 4th Street • Odessa, Texas 79761 • (432) 640-6000 • mchodessa.com

Continued from page 11 it and exercise daily, spending at least 30 minutes exercising aerobically to increase serotonin levels.

Regular exercise can also help you sleep better, which in turn will help you look forward to a more positive day.

KEEP YOUR RESOLUTIONS Whether you’ve been meaning to quit smoking or volunteer more, staying on track with your resolutions will give you a sense of accomplishment and a goal to keep you motivated. Plus, some studies show a connection between depression and healthy behaviors. A CDC study found that women with healthy behaviors (like exercising and not smoking) experienced fewer depressed days than those with less-healthy behaviors.

DON’T BE A HERMIT After the holiday high of family gatherings and days off from work, the New Year may find you feeling more isolated with a less packed social calendar.

Being socially isolated can make you more lonely and vulnerable to mental health problems. Some researchers believe that one in five people feel sad solely due to social isolation. If you’re feeling blue, the last thing you might feel like is to put on your social mask. But doctors say, the more you withdraw, the worse you will feel.

Take this wintertime to try something you’ve always wanted to do, like volunteering or taking a cooking class. Find a social group, host a movie night with friends, start a book club, or find a new hobby.

Avoid sitting around the house dwelling on the winter blues.

Put together a reading list. Put together a list of books you want to read in the next couple months, or download some free excerpts from Amazon to review later. Whether you head to the library or buy a few books for the season, reading is a low-cost activity that will help you pass time and may even teach you something new.

TRY LIGHT THERAPY No, this doesn’t mean you need to be stuck under a sun lamp. Just getting outside and taking a walk in early morning sunlight could do you some good, according to WebMD.

Morning light exposure is especially effective in treating symptoms of seasonal depression, according to some research. You can also get light boxes, which simulate sunlight and help regulate the brain chemicals that affect your mood. As little as a half hour to a full hour each day can help lift your spirits. Just a few weeks of treatment have been proven to help around 70 percent of patients.

Go to bed early and wake up early. Spend Massages have been as much time awake shown to lower depression during daylight hours by over 50 percent, by as possible.

reducing stress hormones and the increasing depression-fighting chemicals.

TREAT YOURSELF The start of the year can be stressful with freezing temperatures, New Year’s resolutions, and several months to go before the next holiday. Though you might be worried about money after the big holiday spending, it might be helpful to ease up and treat yourself to a little something. To keep active, treat yourself to an outing, whether it’s a sporting event, a mini-trip, or even a spa day. Massages have been shown to lower depression by over 50 percent, by reducing stress hormones and the increasing depressionfighting chemicals serotonin and dopamine.

CONSIDER AROMATHERAPY Smells can be a big source of comfort and evoke memories of happier times. It’s worth giving aromatherapy a shot to lift your spirits.

An NIH study found aromatherapy can be an effective supplementary treatment for people with depressive symptoms. Lavender has shown to help with symptoms of depression and insomnia.

For seasonal depression, aromatherapy experts recommend oils like bergamot, jasmine, and neroli.

Peppermint oil helps with sadness and depression.

Inhale a whiff to get a burst of energy. Try adding a couple of drops of these essential oils to your bath water, in a diffuser, or aroma lamp to help you relax.

INDULGE A LITTLE Is there anything a little chocolate can’t fix? Some research suggests that dark chocolate (we’re talking 70 percent cocoa or more) helps boost dopamine levels in your brain. Good news, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

an apple a day february 2015 19

Continued from page 9 for you. Since each CrossFit trainer composes that facility’s WODs, take a look at the schedule and contents of workouts. Interview the trainer to find out his/her qualifications, certifications, sports background, and experience. Ask about the trainer’s approach and attitude about intense exercise. Request permission to sit in and observe a WOD. See if you can have a free trial so you can really determine if the program is for you.

Whatever your decision, keep your body moving. High-intensity workouts are a good choice for many people, but there are also great health benefits to be derived at the other end of the fitness spectrum—by simply taking regular brisk walks.

Matthew B. Furst, m.d., p.a.

Diplomate American Board of Surgery Diplomate American Board of Plastic Surgery

Providing specialized assessment & treatment through a full range of plastic surgery solutions.

BREAST SURGERY • Augmentation • Reduction • Reconstruction • Lift

BODY CONTOURING • Abdominoplasty • Liposuction

(432) 580-8044

318 N Alleghaney, Suite 400 Odessa, TX • 79761 www.furstplasticsurgery.com

Earlene Smith Executive Consultant 432-563-0682 432-553-9957 earlenes@cableone.net

“Changing skin.

Changing lives.”

health & beauty PROTECTING YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN

A

sk any dermatologist what the single most important product for the prevention of premature aging of the skin is (as evidenced by a blotchy uneven tone, loss of firmness, lines, and wrinkles).

I can almost promise you the reply will be a broad spectrum sunscreen with a UVA/ SPF 30 or higher applied generously to every area of exposed skin.

You will probably also be told to look for the words avobenzone, zinc oxide, or Mexoryl on the labels.

This information would have been a blessing to those of us who grew up in an era when we believed that the more sun the better and covered our bodies with baby oil so as to “fry” evenly. It remains a sad fact that even now too many people associate a deeply tanned body with health and beauty. The truth is that the UV rays from the sun destroy our collagen and elastin, causing wrinkling and sagging. They also stimulate pigment-producing melanocytes to release brown melain which causes the age spots on face, hands, and chest.

For those of you who are over thirty and doubt the truth of sun damage, check the difference in the texture of your skin that has received sun exposure with that of protected areas. Or look carefully at the skin of someone several years older who has spent time in the sun and compare the differences. Look at the underside of the arm area as compared to the more exposed top part. My father grew up on a ranch and was constantly in the West Texas sun.

Because he always wore a hat, his forehead was smooth and unlined while the lower portion of his face was weathered and wrinkled as were his hands and the back of his neck, which were also prone to skin cancers. This brings up another important fact,

not only is the sun the culprit in causing the skin to appear old, it also is responsible for skin cancers, including the deadly melanoma. I have had three close friends—including one in his twenties—who have died of melanoma.

While sunscreen provides valuable protection from the sun, in no way should anyone believe that caution and good judgment are not still vitally important. When applied correctly, sunscreen gives the user enough protection to be in the sun for a somewhat longer time with a measure of safety; however, avoid direct sunlight whenever possible. Wear a broad brimmed hat, a visor, sun glasses, protective clothing. If in the water or participating in a sport where you perspire, reapply your screen hourly. Even if you already have sun damage, as most of us do, it is not too late to begin to protect your skin to avoid further harm. There are also some excellent new products and treatments that can actually help to reverse damage and repair your skin.

There is one final word to the argument that we need the sun to provide vitamin D. While the sun does indeed stimulate the production of D, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that you get your daily value of D from non-sun sources like a daily supplement and D-enriched foods.

Remember I welcome your questions and comments at earlenes@cableone.net or at 432–563–0682.

Special thanks to this month’s contributor: Earlene Smith

an apple a day february 2015 21

Cooking With Kim Winter 2015 Cooking Class Schedule February 5th - Valentine’s Day Special Learn to cook a romantic dinner for two instead of fighting the crowds this Valentine’s Day. Make this year a special night IN. February 19th - Knife Skills 101 Get comfortable in the kitchen while preparing two healthy recipes to take with you. Practice makes perfect in this class! We will also learn all about which knives to purchase, how to sharpen and care for your knives, and several other tips and tricks to help you in the kitchen.

Each class is $30 (payment and registration required prior to class). To register and pay, or ask questions, contact me at 432–557–5001 or getfitwithkim@cableone.net. Classes are filling up quickly! Classes for private groups and parties are also available–choose your own menu and class date! You can also prepay and register for every scheduled class and you are guaranteed the recipes for those classes whether you can attend or not.

Contact me for details!

Heart Care for Your

For less than the cost of dinner and a movie, you can get a highly accurate scan of the heart. The HeartView Scan is a non-invasive way to detect health problems before symptoms occur. The scan takes approximately 10 minutes and is performed on a state-of-the-art 64-slice CT scanner.

This test does not require a physician’s order. The cost is $75 and no insurance will be filed. Call 432-582-8677 to learn more and schedule a scan for yourself or a loved one today.

In Partnership with Physician Owners

520 East Sixth | Odessa 582-8677 www.odessaregional.com

40 Years

75

$

HEARTVIEW SCAN

get fit with kim UNFRIENDED BY THE SANDMAN

Q

uickly rate your stress level on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being “I think my head might explode I’m so stressed!”

Now, make a mental list of the health issues you are currently dealing with like obesity, high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, headaches, irritability. Notice the correlation between your level of stress and the degrees of the health issues you listed? High levels of chronic stress are linked to the major diseases that plague our nation: cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and more. So, what actually constitutes stress? What about the good stresses in life? Do they lead to disease, too?

There are two types of stress: acute and chronic.

Acute stress can be something good like planning a wedding, moving, starting a new job, starting an exercise program, learning a new skill. These are all situations that usually start immediately and have an end or deadline, whether they are good things like those listed above or bad things like catching the flu, road rage, or breaking your leg.

Acute stress is temporary, and your body is able to quickly recover from and handle this type of stress without long term damage. However, problems occur when acute stress turns into chronic stress.

Chronic stress typically results from a negative life event, comes on gradually, wears you down, and seems like it may never end. This can include losing your job, learning to live with an incurable disease, working an unsatisfying job, dealing with difficult people, or maybe just not being able to cope with life in general.

When stress isn’t managed and becomes an ongoing way of life for you, your body will suffer the consequences and begin to rebel. This leads to a domino effect: lack of sleep…fatigue…poor judgment…no exercise…poor diet…moodiness… forgetfulness…troubled relationships…poor work

performance…depression…weight gain…and finally diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and thyroid disease.

Now, look at the list you made earlier. Did lack of sleep make the top of your list? I have noticed with myself and others that the first thing to suffer at the hands of stress is sleep. It begins with not being able to “turn your mind off.” We try to get by on less and less, putting sleep at the end of our priority list.

The first thing we cut back when we need more time is not the TV, but sleep. Left unchecked, lack of sleep is the doorway to all of the other issues mentioned above (and pretty close to being in that order). I believe that lack of sleep could also be called the Silent Killer.

The first thing to suffer at the hands of stress is sleep.

When faced with high levels of acute or chronic stress, make a good night’s sleep your number one priority, and you will be more successful at managing your stress and overcoming it and fighting off lifethreatening disease!

Because sleep is such an important factor in your overall mental, emotional, and physical health, I will dive deeper into the topic in future articles discussing: • How nutrition affects sleep quality. What, when, and how much you should be eating.

• How exercise affects sleep quality.

• The latest tips, tools, and gadgets to help you sleep.

• Supplements and prescription sleep aids. Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Special thanks to this month’s contributor: Kim Clinkenbeard, CPT, FNS getfitwithkim@cableone.net

an apple a day february 2015 23

Southwest Chicken Salad Boats

by Kim Clinkenbeard, CPT, FNS

1 lb. skinless boneless chicken breast 3 boiled eggs, chopped (optional) 3 scallions, diced 1 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped Juice of ½ small lime 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard 1 Tbsp. yellow mustard 2 Tbsp. (hot or mild) diced roasted green chilies (I buy them in the freezer section)

5 Tbsp. fat free mayo OR plain fat free yogurt OR fat free chipotle mayo (Kim’s recipe) 1 celery stalk, diced 1 kosher pickle, chopped (optional) 3 Tbsp. Southwest Season Blend (recipe below) Salt and pepper (to your taste) 1 head of Romaine lettuce

Season the chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bake 350° F for about 30 minutes (until the chicken is no longer pink). Meanwhile, combine all other ingredients into a large bowl. Let the chicken cool.

Shred the chicken into the bowl containing the other ingredients and combine well. Spoon the chicken salad into the Romaine lettuce leaves and enjoy.

2/3 cup dried parsley 1/2 tsp. dried minced onions

Southwest Season Blend 1 oz. ground cumin ½ tsp. paprika 1/3 cup chili powder 2 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 cup dried chives 1/4 tsp. dried cilantro

Combine all ingredients well and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

distribution points MIDLAND Albertsons Pharmacy 1002 Andrews Hwy. 4706 N. Midkiff Rd. 3317 N. Midland Dr.

Midland Memorial Hospital Scharbauer Patient Tower 400 Rosalind Redfern Grover Parkway

Fit Family Fitness 3404 N. Midland Dr.

Midland Memorial Hospital West Campus 4214 Andrews Hwy.

Flat Belly Organics 3326 N. Midkiff Rd.

Palmer Drug Abuse Program 1208 W. Wall St.

Graham Pharmacy 1601 W. Wall St. HealthSouth 1800 Heritage Blvd.

HEB Pharmacy 3325 W. Wadley Ave. Midland Memorial Hospital 2200 W. Illinois Ave.

24 february 2015 an apple a day

St. Joseph’s Home Health 24 Smith Rd., Ste. 500 Walgreens Drug Store 3221 W. Wadley Ave. 215 Andrews Hwy. 4313 Andrews Hwy. 3201 N. Big Spring St. ODESSA Albertsons Pharmacy 1350 E. 8th St. 4950 E. 42nd St. 2751 N. County Road W.

First Baptist Church 709 N. Lee Furr’s Music City Mall Harmony Health Food Shoppe 3110 E. University Blvd., Ste. A Heaven Bound Daycare 507 Elliot HEB Pharmacy 3801 E. 42nd St. Hunt Advertising 3527 Billy Hext Rd. Medical Center Hospital 500 W. 4th St. Mission Fitness 8050 Hwy. 191

The Odessa Family YMCA 3001 E. University Odessa Regional Medical Center 520 E. 6th St. Permian Basin Rehab Center 620 N. Alleghaney River of Life Health Food Shop 2601 N. Grandview Ave. Smith’s Shoes 5101 Twin Towers Super Shapes 5000 E. University Blvd.

University Pharmacy and Medical Supplies 4850 E. University Blvd.

Walgreens Drug Store 801 Maple Ave. 2161 E. 42nd St. 1305 W. University Blvd.

1707 W. 8th St. Walmart Clinic 4210 JBS Parkway 2450 West Loop 338 Wendover Family Medicine 4222 Wendover, Ste. 600 Westview Medical Clinic 1220 W. University Blvd.

Wheatley Stewart Medical Pavilion 574 W. 5th St.

• Heating • Air Conditioning • Plumbing • RO Water • Insulation

Residential & Commerical Services • Remodeling & Conversions • New Construction • Complete Repair Services • Heat Pumps

Midland/Odessa 432–580–3342 www.nationalplumbing.us

3527 Billy Hext Road • Odessa, TX 79765 432 550 5998 • 866 550 7329 fax 432 550 7346 www.hapublishing.com

Proud to Serve the Permian BaSin haPPy valentine’S day!

all american Chevrolet Midland

amistad motors Ft. Stockton

Sewell Chevrolet Andrews

all american Chevrolet Odessa

Colt Chevrolet Pecos

Weststar autoplex Monahans

permianbasinchevy.com