Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine March April 2015

FITNESS | NUTRITION | HEALTH | Mind-Body | FAMILY WELLNESS | community | FINANCIAL

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Paving the Way to a Better Tomorrow: 5 Inspirational Stories See page 10

INSIDE: The Move It Mommas!

Stress: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Behold: Bay Area’s Luxury Real Estate Market!

MARCH/APRIL 2015

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Mind-Body

Paving the Way to a Better Tomorrow: 5 Stories of Love, Service, and Generosity 10

Stress: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

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Dr. Steven Blackwell 11 Kim Reed 12 Dolly Warren 13 Dr. Hanan Hussein 14 Emma Brockway 15 Health Q&A 27

Nutrition

Family Wellness

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On The Cover: 5 Stories of Love, Service, and Generosity.

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by Rhonda E A LFloyd T H Photography.

Wellness Is More than What You Eat Can I Trust You? 18

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Standing from left to right: Dr. Hanan Hussein, Kim Reed, Dolly Warren, Dr. Steven Blackwell; Emma Brockway (sitting).

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The Move It Mommas! 4 s ghw | MIND & Top 5 Reasons Families

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Choose Martial Arts 6 | IsF That A MWhat I LY D-Ribose: You’re Missing? 9

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Restaurant Journey: Al-Basha Mediterranean Grill 23 Take Home Cooking to the Next Level 24 Supplements: Necessary or Needless? 25 Top 5 Ways to be a Healthy, Happy Traveler 26 Kids Corner: A Quick and Nutritious After School Snack 28

Community Financial Behold: Bay Area’s Luxury Real Estate Market! 19

bs ghw a h w | fWr Eo LmL tNhEeS eSd i to r Greetings to our new readers and business partners in the Bay Area!

We are officially “in the community” with the successful launch of our premier issue of the Bay Area Health & Wellness magazine. Truly, the most rewarding experience for me these past few months has been receiving positive and encouraging feedback from our readers and businesses. This feedback fuels our passion to bring you a beautiful magazine, rooted in our community, with pertinent and timely information written by our professional editorial team and business partners.

It is my pleasure to introduce our next issue. Featured on this cover are five remarkable people with touching and compelling stories (left to right, Dr. Hannan Hussein, Kim Reed, Dolly Warren, Dr. Steven Blackwell, and sitting in front, Ms. Emma Brockway). They are people of vision, strength, integrity and passion and stand as beacons in our community.

I want to publicly thank them for sharing their time and stories with us.

With all the negativity today in the media and turmoil in the world, it is encouraging to bring our attention to individuals who strive to make a positive difference and impact on those around them.

Kindness in an Unexpected Place 27 Calendar of Events 28 Texans Against Texting & Driving 30

I look forward to continuing to hear back from you, our readers. The print magazine is only half of the story. Please find us on Facebook and browse our online electronic version of the magazine (http://www. txhwmagazines.com). Please “Like” the articles and information that is meaningful to you and leave feedback, questions, or comments. We want to hear your voice! Providing local experts in medicine, mental health, fitness, finance, nutrition, and marriage/family is the focus of our magazine. Ask questions that are relevant to you and our contributors will respond either through the Facebook page or in print via a featured Question/Answer column. No identifying information (initials) will be published without expressed permission.

Again, thank you and enjoy the magazine!

Sincerely,

Camille Olson

Camille Olson, B.S., Editor Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine (832) 323-3020

For information on advertising or other inquiries, visit our website at www.txhwmagazines.com or call us at 832.323.3020 Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | 549 N. Egret Bay Blvd. | League City, TX 77573 The publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of the articles in Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine. The information contained within has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on this material. Appropriate professional advice should be sought before making decisions. ©Copyright 2015.

The Move It

MOMMAS!

By Kim Thomas You may have seen them at the park, this group of motivated women working together for a common goal: Health and Fitness.

They are the Move it Mommas! They are an inspiring example of strength, friendship, determination, grit, and success. Oh, and they can kick some booty! Who are these supermoms? Well, first, let’s meet their leader.

Here’s Marissa!

Marissa McClellen’s struggle with weight started in her childhood. “I noticed that my weight was an issue early on in my life. I was taller and larger than most of my classmates, but realized that when other kids were playing and having fun, I was worried about food. Always wanting to know when it was time to eat and what we were having. My life was CENTERED around food.“ Marissa compensated for being uncomfortable in her own skin by being the bubbly, outgoing, fun girl. She may have even convinced herself, at times, that she was happy fitting into that mold, that she had accepted that this was her life.

Or had she?

“Standing in my bathroom at 21 years old, I didn’t recognize myself. I was addicted to fast food and yes I call it an addiction because I would eat one meal while watching the time pass until I could get my next. It was like a drug to me, short-lived but felt so good as I indulged. Sad isn’t it? How being dependent on food can be just as painful and self-destructive as a drug? I was a 21 year old college student, weighing 245lbs, in a size 18 and helpless.”

In college, Marissa broke the cycle. Here, she found friends 4 www.txhwmagazines.com

who lived a healthy lifestyle and could teach her how to do the same. She traded fast food for cardio and weights and made the commitment to get healthy.

“If I wanted to CHANGE, the kind of change that would last…I had to do something drastic. I had to change my way of thinking. See for so long I felt like life was unfair. Why did I have to diet and exercise to lose weight, while others stuffed their faces with chips and soft drinks and looked like Barbie and Ken? Why?? It was when I stopped asking WHY and started LIVING that my life truly changed and I never looked back.” Marissa continued to work hard at her new goal and lost 70 pounds in 6 months! She was even asked to teach aerobics and share her weight loss story with the gym members. “I was SO excited. I started teaching Step Aerobics and Body Pump and LOVED every second. As I transformed my life, I felt a happiness like I had never felt before.” This newfound dedication to health and fitness inspired Marissa to change her major from Journalism to Health and she graduated with a BS in Health Education/Exercise Physiology.

After years of dedication to a healthy lifestyle, Marissa has gained this perspective: “I don’t know that unhealthy girl any more. I am a

strong, healthy woman who struggles with weight every day and continues to find that balance for myself and my family.”

Meet the Mommas!

“In January 2013, I decided that my journey was far from over...in fact it was only beginning with the birth of my Move It Mommas! We are a women’s only workout group that focuses on empowering one another, building strength and improving our health one day at a time. We talk about our strengths About the Author and weaknesses and we lift one another up Kim is an AFAA certified Group Fitness Instructor throughout the workouts. We have completed and Schwinn certified Indoor races as a group, attended nutrition outings and Cycling Instructor. She is many more fun activities as a group. THEY a native of Syracuse New York and graduated from the HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE. State University College at They help me feel strong when I am Oneonta with a bachelor’s feeling weak. They have helped me degree in English. understand that it was okay to struggle for all those years because it led me to helping each one of them, each with their own story and struggles to share and overcome.

They are beautiful, all different ages, sizes and backgrounds but that is what makes them so special. WE NEVER QUIT! Always together and never against one another. Life is hard. Losing weight and getting healthy is HARD so we must build each other up and help make that journey just a bit easier...”

If running is your thing, this is also the place for you. The Mommas compete monthly in local races and a large group just completed their first half marathon in Houston! Eighteen of the members are now training for the Diva Half Marathon in Galveston on April 19, and Marissa has promised them all, “By golly, I will not NOT let you cross.”

Sound like something that you would like to be a part of?

Well, it gets better! The group participates in private tours at Trader Joes and Fresh Market, among other places, to learn how to shop and cook healthy meals for their families. Along with taste tests, the Mommas get discounts, coupons and nutrition information as they browse! They put this knowledge to the test once a month when they meet for a healthy lunch to celebrate birthdays and have a snack swap where everyone brings a healthy snack and recipe to share.

Marissa, herself, has lost 100lbs and there are many members with incredible success stories of their own. She created the blog “Let’s Move It Mommas” (www.letsmoveitmommas. blogspot.com) as a support system for busy moms who are trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Many of these success stories, as well as Marissa’s own story, can be found here. The Mommas group has also been featured in Macaroni Kid (League City - Clear Lake area newsletter) and won the Daisy Award for the best mom-run business in the area!

Oh, and in her spare time, Marissa is the fitness ambassador for Texas!

T ES T IM O NIALS “There is no intimidation here. You can come here and feel comfortable at any size, at any level. You can do the workout; she has modifications and I don’t feel separate from the group. I still feel like part of the group just because I can modify and still move. I would have never gone to a gym.”

Christine K. “You, each, showing up every time, inspire me to do what I do. This is huge for me. A lot of you have trickled this down to your kids. As an overweight kid, my whole heart wants every single one of you to be healthy, to be confident, to feel beautiful in your own skin, and that is what it’s all about. It’s not about being a size two. It is not about being skinny. It is about feeling beautiful. It is about having a support system, having people that believe in you and being here when everybody else seems to want to knock you down. I want you to feel like, in this place, you can be lifted up.” Marissa M. “I’m only about 10 pounds away from my prepregnancy weight and my son is 9 months old. I ran a half marathon in January!” Robin S. “I come from Mexico and I’m always willing to meet new people. Meeting this group is so much fun because you exercise and you laugh and you have fun. You can take your kids and you don’t mind because there are other kids the same age and they have fun. They are in a safe place to play while we exercise and if they don’t want to play, they stay next to you, pretending to exercise, and it’s a good example for them.” Victoria M.

R e a d y to j o i n ?

They would love to have you and, no matter what, you will fit right in! The Move It Mommas meet in South Shore Harbour and class size ranges from 10-40 moms per class.

Where: The neighborhood park on Admiral Drive (South Shore Harbour). They take shelter under the pavilion in rain, shine, heat, cold. Alternate location: Furia Training Center on FM 646 in extreme heat, cold, or storms.

When: Mon-Thurs from 10-11am.

What: Cardio and strength training workouts that are appropriate for ALL fitness levels.

Bring: Water, light dumbbells, towel.

Child-friendly: Children of ALL ages are welcome! They play at the park and stay active while the Mommas exercise. Summer is usually packed with children organizing a basketball game or hide and seek.

Cost: $50/month unlimited classes $40/month up to 2x/week $5 drop in

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Top 5 Reasons Families Choose Martial Arts

By Tiffany Ravedutti

When I think about my daughter’s future as an adult, outside of our home and protection, I want her to be strong: mentally, emotionally and physically. I want her to be able to handle all of the circumstances that life will undoubtedly throw her way. As a Martial Arts school owner, I have the pleasure of meeting hundreds of people in every walk of life, but the one thing we all have in common: we want to raise successful independent leaders. In order to raise up this kind of person, we must find environments that encourage the same way of thinking. The number one goal of my school is to provide that environment for the families we serve. Here is what I have found to be the top five reasons to choose Martial Arts: 5. It is For Everyone Martial Arts is unique because, while it is an individual sport, it’s practiced in a group setting. This allows students to have their own successes without depending on anyone else’s performance.

ADD/ADHD - We’ve found that students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder thrive in Martial Arts because they benefit greatly from a structured environment. In a given class, students are asked to do things like practice self-defense moves, basic techniques, physical conditioning, kicks, and break boards. Because we change tasks so often, the fast pace of the class allows our students to be constantly moving, and not get bored. It’s also an added bonus that, because of the yelling involved with Martial Arts, they can be as loud as they want and not get in trouble!

Autism Spectrum - The repetition of training in Martial Arts is a great outlet for those with autism (especially Asperger Syndrome). Their ability to focus on one specific task and repeat it over and over can only result in improvement. Martial Arts gives them a chance to improve at their own rate, while still being able to practice social skills.

Fast Learners - The best way to stay motivated is to feel progress. For fast learners, sometimes the biggest challenge is that there is no challenge. The great thing about Martial Arts is that there is always more to learn! (Trust me, I started training at age four, and it’s still just as challenging now as it was then!)

Tournaments are another great way to encourage naturally talented students to keep working hard.

The more their peers improve, the more they strive to improve, and comparing yourself to others outside of your own class and school can be very beneficial, when done in a healthy way.

Teens & Adults - Martial Arts is not just for kids!

In fact, it’s a great way to get in shape, stay healthy, relieve some stress, and learn self-defense all at

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the same time! Teens and adults are under more stress today than ever before, and a physical outlet helps greatly! Although it’s more commonly associated with kids, many of my adult students report changes in their own confidence, self-control, and discipline as well.

4. It Reinforces What You’re Saying at Home As an instructor, It is both an honor and a huge responsibility to know that you are influencing the lives of children—one that we don’t take lightly! We know that consistency is crucial when raising a child, and our goal is to be an advocate in your corner, reinforcing the same great things you’re already teaching them at home.

3. It is a Safe Place to Make Mistakes Bullying has become a big problem for families today. Every time someone is ridiculed or laughed at while making a mistake, it’s teaching that person that it’s not okay to fail. When, in fact, it’s perfectly normal to fail. The attitude that we’re all learning something new, we’re all going to mess up, and we’re not going to laugh at each other about it, settles all the anxiety that feeling selfconscious brings. Learning from mistakes is far more important than the mistake itself, and standing up again after a failure teaches a child much more about life than we even realize.

2. It Promotes Positive Behavior A great way to improve someone’s behavior is to use positive

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reinforcement and praise them each and every time they do something right. Instead of bringing attention to the negative behavior and encouraging them to feel guilty, it brings attention to positive behavior and encourages them to continue it. Public recognition of great conduct communicates to them that they have made you proud and they’ll strive to repeat that feeling until good habits are formed.

About the Author

Tiffany Ravedutti is a sghw | Black C UBeltLand TURE 4th Degree co-owner of Leaders For Life Martial Arts in League City, TX. SheW is anEATA LLN Level 3 Certified Instructor, a National Judge, and a State, District, PanAmerican, and World Champion.

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1. It Teaches Life Skills | Martial Arts naturally teaches kids life skills like discipline, confidence, respect and focus just by training consistently.

Of course, all of these are great qualities that you want them to learn as a child before being on their own, but a good Martial Arts school will also discuss with its students so much more. Instilling critical skills like integrity, humility, wisdom and attitude prepares them for life beyond a Black Belt. All of these skills create leaders and there is no doubt that our society today is craving honest leaders. When I look at my students, I see future leaders in every arena—from companies to countries.

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INDIVIDUAL, COUPLE & FAMILY THERAPY We specialize in individual, couple, and family therapy in the Friendswood, Clear Lake, and League city areas. www.southshorefamilies.com (281) 317-7326

We are ONLINE at www.txhwmagazines.com Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bahwmagazine

Contact us at: 832.323.3020 Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | March/April 2015 7

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D-Ribose

Is That What You’re Missing?

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Dr. David Redding, with Pro-Fit Sports Therapy, has C U L TforU R E practiced in Friendswood over 20 years. In addition to chiropractic, he is Master Level certifiedW in Active ELLNES Release Technique. He uses a blended approach to therapy that incorporates his knowledge in sports injuries, dynamic stretch therapy, acupuncture, cold laser therapy and Rock Taping.

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By Dr. David Redding D-Ribose, or just Ribose, as its sometimes called, is a simple sugar produced within our cells many thousands of times a day so that we can have energy to do work. D-Ribose is integral for our cells to create energy. All cellular respiration requires that we utilize ribose to make energy to perform a myriad of functions.

D-Ribose has been shown in studies to improve heart function, especially when there has been ischemic (lack of oxygen) injury to the heart muscle. Causes could be congestive heart disease, coronary artery disease, certain types of cardiomyopathy, certain diseases that affect the heart valves, and peripheral vascular disease. Post exercise fatigue and muscle soreness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome CFS, Fibromyalgia, Myoadenylated Deaminase disease, and McArdie’s disease all drain energy from muscles and are manifested in the form of fatigue, muscle pain, soreness and stiffness. Ribose has been shown in clinical studies to help offset all of these symptoms. By supplementing with ribose, patients give their muscles the chance to overcome energy drain. Endurance athletes and athletes that have exposed themselves to strenuous training may require higher levels of ribose for recovery and overcoming muscle pain.

Think of ribose like gas in your tank. When you drive your car down the road, your car is burning gas or consuming energy. As your tank gets low, you have to fill it again or you will run out of gas and your car will stop, leaving you stranded. The same thing is true about your body. When you have enough food and oxygen, your cells will be able to work and never run out of energy. If you are healthy, your energy stores will build back up with a little rest.

The rate at which your body converts glucose to ribose or the speed at which your cells consume your ribose stores will determine how much or how long you have sustained energy.

Every cell in your body depends on ribose to run. Your heart uses an insane amount of energy to work on a daily basis. An estimated 6,000

grams of energy is consumed in pumping blood throughout your body every day. The heart’s stored energy, at any given moment, is about .7 grams. The heart has to constantly replace its energy requirements and our heart muscle cells need ribose to function.

Ribose production is a slow process which requires time within the confines of our cells. Proper supplementation allows the cells to uptake increased amounts of ribose to make ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the gold bullion of cellular energy. This spells recovery and cellular function.

The amount of ribose you should take is need dependent. For example, a person needs: • 2 to 5 grams a day to maintain a healthy energy pool • 5 to 7 grams to prevent cardiovascular disease and for athletes wishing to recover faster from higher intensity training, i.e. cross training and marathon/triathlon work • 7 to 10 grams daily for patients with heart disease or peripheral vascular disease, post surgical heart patients and heart attack patients, and • 0 to 15 grams daily for patients with fibromyalgia, CTS and other neuromuscular disease Once the patient experiences relief of symptoms, a lower maintenance dose can be used. Since ribose is a simple sugar, there are no major issues with its use. A recommendation would be to take divided doses when working with larger amounts, or pre and post exercise for athletes.

Corvalen, by Bioenergy, is a recognized brand that has been used in many clinical trials. They also have a product with magnesium and malic acid added to aid in its uptake and function in the cell.

If you have noticed that energy or fatigue is becoming or has been an issue, give D-Ribose a try and give your favorite energy drink a break.

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | March/April 2015 9

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Love 5

Paving the Way to a Better Tomorrow

Stories of Love, Service, and Generosity This issue features 5 inspirational stories of people in the community who have been instrumental in helping others heal through their service, generosity, and love.

Photography by Rhonda Floyd Photography.

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Blackwell Dr. Steven Blackwell

His Gift to the Cleft Lip & Palate Community

By Dr. Nicholas Howland

On a Tuesday morning in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Steven Blackwell says goodbye to his wife and cat and leaves for the airport.

He boards the flight to Houston and prepares for another two weeks of work—work that is away from home and family. But this schedule and commute doesn’t bother him in the slightest. In fact, he describes his feelings going to work as “giddy”, “exciting”, and “blessed”.

Dr. Blackwell is a trained plastic surgeon and Director of the Cleft Lip & Palate Program at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Houston.

He completed his medical school training at the Tulane University, general surgery residency at The University of Cincinnati, and finally plastic surgery training right here at UTMB. After completing his training in 1978, he served as faculty and professor of plastic surgery at UTMB for more than 30 years. While there, he established the cleft lip & palate and craniofacial surgery program. In 2008, Hurricane Ike forced the program to shut its doors for a time, and Dr. Blackwell was left with a decision. “My concern was, what do we do with these kids?” His home was badly damaged, the program he had built closed, and more than 700 patients were left without any hope , Dr. Blackwell did not falter in his passion and commitment to the patients he cares for. He was instrumental in reestablishing care for these patients at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Houston.

To the outsider, this may not seem like a big deal, but to the patients and families, the Cleft Lip & Palate Program

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is life changing. Reestablishing this | F A M I LY About the Author program was no small feat! The amount Dr. Nicholas Howland graduated with a BA in of leadership and organizational effort Business Administration | C U Lfrom TURE that goes into running a cleft lip & palate the University of Utah. He program cannot be overstated. These then completed his medical children come from all over the globe— degree from |UTMB. W EHeLis L N E S currently a 4th year plastic mostly from the Southwestern US and surgery Resident at UTMB. all of Mexico. The care they require is Dr. Howland is fluent in not just surgical from Dr. Blackwell, Russian, and avid golfer, reader, and father of two it is truly multispecialty oriented. The beautiful children. program involves plastic surgeons, ENT, oral surgeons, dentists, orthodontists, speech therapists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, geneticists, nutritionists, social services, and more. The program that Dr. Blackwell helps run is truly a beautiful machine.

All patients are seen in clinic on Wednesday, by ALL specialties.

Any surgery that is required is then performed on Thursdays. As for Dr. Blackwell, he is available on these days and returns home to Birmingham every two weeks for an extended weekend. This is his home away from home.

When asked why he still does it, he will tell you, “…this is the most rewarding activity any plastic surgeon could hope for. I take care of these kids from the time they’re born until they are off to college or starting families of their own.

An accurate glimpse into the quality of Dr. Blackwell’s character lies in the response he gets from his patients and their families.

At the end of every visit, he asks the patient and their parents, “Do you have any questions?”

Unanimously, he is met with the humbling response, “No. We trust you.”

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Kim Reed

“Building” Lives Through Service

By Dr. Nicholas Howland

Bay Area Health and Wellness recently had the humbling opportunity to sit down with Kim Reed, the President of Builders Without Borders of Texas. Kim told us, “In 2004, a group of volunteers who were involved with Habitat for Humanity decided that they wanted to branch out beyond what they were doing in their local community.” The result? Kim founded Builders Without Borders of Texas, Inc. Kim stated, “Builders Without Borders of Texas is independent of what religion you are. We are all brothers and should take care of each other. That is the important thing, and the thing we should do.” Since that time, many projects have been developed and many lives have been touched. The growth and results over the last 10 years have been truly inspiring.

Kim is the passion that fuels the program. He is deeply driven to educate and “build” up those in need. “We have a responsibility to help people who aren’t that fortunate. I was a builder my whole life and I can see things abstractly that some people can’t see. I can look at a plan and tell what a house should look like.

That is what it is like with people too. I can see who they can be, who they really are.”

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Haiti After the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010, Builders Without Borders of Texas was able to fly into the country and help immediately. Kim describes so many tragic scenes that became memorable images during the media coverage of the earthquake’s aftermath. Hundreds of homeless men, women, and children with a range of injuries, lying on cardboard mats outside hospitals with no electricity; emergency amputations with no available anesthesia; newly orphaned children without any understanding of what happened to parents and family. Heartbreaking experiences. But for Kim Reed and Builders Without Borders of Texas, these were opportunities to serve. After helping with initial first response, they have persisted in Haiti to help build Kenbe Fem, a local orphanage. They have plans in place to build a schoolhouse in the area, as well.

Mexico Builders Without Borders of Texas extends further than its work in Haiti. They also have ongoing projects in Mexico and the US. These projects encompass everything from eye clinics, plastic surgery, local housing for single moms, and even a college sponsorship program. Reed says, “Our whole point is to make them independent. To give (these people) what they need to survive…so they can be the next layer of politicians, teachers, and administrators in their own country…and help build their country.”

Donations are, of course, the lifeblood of programs like Builders Without Borders of Texas. The cost of running one eye surgery clinic for 3 days can cost up to $100,000.

The results are beautiful—hundreds of people without access to care who are suffering with bilateral blindness from cataracts are cured, sight restored, and their lives changed.

But the hard truth is that it takes money and heart to keep this going. Kim has established a unique business called Blue Monkey, a resale gift shop in Friendswood, that is run entirely by volunteers. No one is paid. All of the money generated from Blue Monkey goes toward helping run the programs of Builders Without Borders of Texas.

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Dolly Warren

“D’Feet-ing” Breast Cancer

“The statistics have not changed in 15 years.

One woman out of 8, during her lifetime, will get breast cancer. Just being a woman makes her at risk.” Dolly Warren

By Marissa McClellan

Knowing she’s making a huge difference in her community, Dolly Warren has dedicated her life to helping others. With passion and determination, Dolly founded D’Feet Breast Cancer, a volunteer non-profit organization incorporated in 2002. D’Feet provides healthcare services to the uninsured and underserved women of Galveston County, ages 40-65, who are at high risk for breast cancer. Together, her team at D’Feet, Inc. raise money to pay for free mammograms screenings, free diagnostics, community outreach, and breast health education programs in Galveston County schools. The $150 mammogram and the diagnostics are a gift to those women in Galveston County who qualify.

In 1999, Dolly’s journey began with a clear vision when she realized there was no breast cancer care and very few resources offered to help the women and families of the community. At that time, Galveston County had the highest mortality rate from breast cancer in the state. Dolly knew she needed to raise money to help, and started by asking for donations from anyone who would listen. Within the first year, she organized a family 5K event and golf tournament that raised over $100,000. The result was enough money to pay for 550 free mammograms, with the generous help of The Rose (a Houston organization dedicated to treating breast cancer) and UTMB Galveston, who allowed the use of their mobile van. 2015 marks the 15 year celebration of the D’Feet run/walk! Dolly reflects, “The gathering of people, breast cancer survivors, family members of all ages, all come together to celebrate life, memorialize those loved ones lost to breast cancer and honor those men and women undergoing treatment.”

What makes D’feet Breast Cancer, Inc. unique is their focus on diagnostic services for the underinsured. Dolly says, “What bothers me the most is the lack of programs that offer free mammograms for women. While some women can get a mammogram for free, it will usually not include diagnostics, which can be costly.” That’s where D’Feet steps in by offering mammograms, providing diagnostics and any additional assistance along the way. D’Feet currently partners with Galveston County Coastal Health & Wellness, UTMB, Mainland Medical Center, The Jesse Tree, Victory Breast Diagnostics & Women’s Imaging, and Mamosafe.

In 1998, the “Check It Out” program (now called “Think Pink”) was developed.

This one hour program, offered to most high schools in Galveston County, was set up to educate upper classmen about good breast health. Dolly knows that “when breast

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Marissa McClellan is a former physical education and health teacher, C who U Lholds TURE a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and Exercise Physiology Wfrom E LSam LNES Houston State University.

There she received the Leader in Health award two years in a row. She also graduated with an Associate of Arts in Journalism.

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cancer strikes, children could be left out.” | They need to know about the whys, whats and hows so they can be proactive when it | comes to their own health. “Think Pink” invites cancer survivors and physicians as guests speakers and allows students in lower socioeconomic households to have access to crucial educational information for themselves and to share with their families.

D’feet Breast Cancer, Inc.’s purpose is well-known throughout the community and the full-time responsibility never feels like a burden to Dolly. Why does she do it? Dolly says, “It has given my life a purpose. For me, my focus was on the community need. Helping uninsured and underserved women get this lifesaving screening was essential – it is all about women helping women.” And while she has not battled breast cancer herself, Dolly has been an invaluable support system when a breast cancer diagnosis becomes reality for families in our community. She is proof that passion and a willingness to help others DOES make a difference.

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Dr. Hanan Hussein

One Woman’s Pursuit to Better the Lives of Others

By Kim Thomas and Cassi Boatwright

There are those who look beyond the face of adversity and reach the vast commonalities of all humanity. Meet Dr. Hanan Hussein: an American Muslim, mother, healer, educator, philanthropist and woman of faith.

Dr. Hussein is an Assistant Professor and Family Physician at UTMB Health, Galveston, and serves as the Medical Director at the Family Medicine Clinic - Island East. She has been honored with the John P. McGovern Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award, and has been named one of Texas’ Super Doctor Rising Stars.

Dr. Hussein is also the mother of two incredible little boys. Her strength was tested when her second child was born with a heart defect.

For the first time in her life, Dr. Hussein felt vulnerable. During her son’s long journey to recovery, Houston’s Ronald McDonald House became their Home Away from Home. It was after this experience that she recalls, “I try to be a compassionate person and help when I can, however, something changed in me after that experience. For the first time, I made charity not just a part of my life, but a priority.”

Today, her son is happy and healthy, and Dr. Hussein feels that,

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About the Author

“I owe my son’s story to others.” In 2012, Kim is an AFAA certified Group Fitness Instructor Dr. Hussein was the featured speaker at and Schwinn certified Indoor the American Heart Association. She Cycling Instructor. She is spoke through tears and many were a native of Syracuse New York and graduated from the touched by her son’s battle and survival State University College at story. Her candor helped raise an Oneonta with a bachelor’s unbelievable amount of money for the degree in English. organization that year. As a doctor, she knows the importance of research dollars and how they can save lives.

Dr. Hussein served as the Chair for the American Heart Association - Galveston Black Tie and Boots Gala in 2014 and was instrumental in bringing in over $200,000 for future research.

Dr. Hussein and her family recently opened their home to a young 14 year old boy from a refugee camp in Syria. Mustafa had a badly burned and disfigured face from an exploding bomb. Mustafa lived with Dr. Hussein and her family until his surgeries were complete.

When Dr. Hussein was asked by Mustafa’s mother why she would do this, she replied, “I will take care of your son. My son is healthy now and I hold a lot of gratitude for the care and love he received so I want to pay it back.” Dr. Hussein spreads love, tolerance and acceptance unconditionally. Upon the arrival of Mustafa, she told her own sons, “He is going to live with us and he is going to be your brother. We will take care of him,” and they did, with open arms.

As an American Muslim woman living in the United States, Dr. Hussein has never worried for her personal safety. But as a mother, she does have concern for her sons. Their safety is critical and so she tries to be as involved with the school as much as she can. She is presently serving as the president of the PTO. Putting her past fundraising skills to work, she is helping to raise money to relocate the school to a bigger space in a safer area.

Dr. Hussein stands as an example in our community as a strong woman who strives to bring change and better the lives of those around her.

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Emma Brockway The ”Gentle Warrior”

By Nicholas Howland

Emma Brockway is a hero. One look at her photos, from childhood through present day, might make you assume the same, but we would both be wrong. It isn’t the cleft lip and palate transformation that makes Emma a hero. It isn’t even the nearly one dozen surgeries she has undergone, the pain she has endured, or the relentless torment of inevitable bullying. None of that is what makes Emma a hero, because none of that defines who she is.

Emma was born in a little village across the world. When she was 10 days old, she was left at a train station, and luckily, was found and taken to an orphanage. At 12 months of age, Emma’s adoptive parents found her, with a severe cleft lip and palate, and adopted her.

Her given name was Wen Zhan. Wen means “gentle” and Zhan is translated to mean “war” or “warrior.” “Gentle Warrior” is a fitting name for a girl who has fought many battles throughout her life.

Just months after her adoption, she was brought to Texas to begin a lifetime of surgeries.

Emma’s bilateral cleft lip was repaired by the team that was headed up by Dr. Steven Blackwell at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Galveston. From the outside, this may seem like the major fix for a child born with a cleft lip and palate. But this was just the tip of the iceberg. Most children with a defect similar to Emma’s undergo 8-12 surgeries from birth until adulthood. Emma was no different. After the lip repair, her palate was fixed shortly thereafter. She also later required bone grafting, reconstructive jaw surgery, fat grafting to her lip and scar, and finally, an open rhinoplasty to correct the effects of the cleft on her nasal structures.

Then there was the relentless bullying that Emma wouldn’t want you to know about. She dealt with most of it quietly, as to not upset her parents. At one point, the bullying turned into actual physical abuse.

Emma’s mother wanted her to change schools, but it was Emma who pleaded that she could handle it. She looked at her and said, “Mom, if I run away now, I’ll run the rest of my life. I’m not doing that!” And she never did. “Warrior,” indeed.

So what is it that defines Emma, if not all of this? One more story, perhaps, holds the answer. On her 10th birthday, Emma’s mother asked her what she would like to do for her special day. Emma asked to go to Kentucky Fried Chicken and ordered 3 dinners with all the fixings. Her mom thought she wanted to buy dinner for her family.

But on the way home, Emma directed her mom to pull the car over.

She got out and promptly took the dinners to several of the homeless men that they frequently passed on the way to school.

Emma has learned that through all of this, a support network is absolutely crucial. Her parents have been there every step of the way to ensure her success. Not all people with cleft lip and palate are so lucky. Emma started a support group called Cleft Community that

can be found at instagram@ cleftcommunity. There are 608 followers who find great strength and support in being a part of this group.

And that is really who Emma is. That is what makes her a hero. It isn’t the triumph of overcoming a terrible birth defect over which she had no control(although that is certainly heroic), but Emma is and stands for love, courage, and compassion. continued on page 16

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Emma Brockway ~ continued

continued from page 15 Quotes from Instagram about cleftcommunity: “The life changer is seeing that there are many out there that are caring and able to share experiences to help others going through similar situations. When you have others to lean on and learn from, it makes our unknown less scary.” Virgha “This account has introduced me to so many other clefties and families. It was a surprise to us when my baby sister was born with cleft lip and palate and we now know more now what to expect from other clefties. This account has been very helpful to me and my family J” Andreasleigh17

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Wellness Is More than What You Eat

By Kurt Attaway

We live in a fast paced society. Everything is moving quickly. Fast food. Fast cars. Lose weight fast. Make | WELLNESS money fast. Text. Tweet. We are running faster and pushing harder, “for what?”

Depression is taking a significant toll on people (http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename= education_statistics_depression). Over 40 million people struggle with anxiety (http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/ press-room/facts-statistics). Relationships are strained, and obesity is on the rise. . It appears that in our fast paced About the Author lifestyle, we have lost our focus on living well.

Kurt Attaway is a Licensed Marriage and Family Wellness is often associated with food and exercise. While this is an accurate association, it is not a complete Therapy Associate in Texas. picture of wellness. Wellness is defined by merriam-webster as the quality or state of being healthy. Our quality and Kurt graduated with his state of being is much more than physical. We are emotional, mental, relational, and recreational beings Master’s from UHCL. Kurt

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Body Jim Rohn once said, “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” The amount of research indicating the positive impact that healthy eating, consistent exercise and regular sleep habits do to one’s overall well-being is astounding. Individuals who incorporate sustainable, yet evidence-based lifestyle changes, report not only improved physical health, but increased mental, social and emotional fulfillment.

works in private practice at The Center for Couples and Families, and serves as the Director of the WholeFit Leadership Team.

Mind What we think about matters. Have you ever taken time to notice what makes up your thoughts? Often times it is our own perspective that influences the level of stress, anxiety and worry in our lives. Stress and anxiety are very real and regularly emerge in our minds. Expectations often create pressure. Anxiety is often driven by ruminating on the possible negative outcomes. As you reach for a greater experience of wellness in your mind, look for opportunities to trade fear for hope. Choose to focus on what you can do, as opposed to what you cannot do.

Awareness is the first and most necessary step to reach mental wellness.

Emotion Emotions give meaning to our life experiences and provide opportunities for us to connect with others. However, sometimes instead of controlling our emotions, we feel controlled by our emotions to the point where we aren’t able to accomplish the things we set out to achieve (whether they be professional, relational, or academic goals). In order to learn to manage your emotions better, you may consider these two suggestions: 1. Control your thoughts because they directly influence your feelings and 2. Engage in regular self-care practices, such as meditation, deep breathing or participating in a hobby.

Love Relationships can be a vibrant, satisfying aspect of life. Healthy relationships can improve one’s mood, increase one’s purpose and offer a buffer against life’s challenges. Research from Life Innovations (www.prepare-enrich.com) highlights communication as the single greatest contributor to satisfying relationships. Connection and intimacy grow from the rich soil of healthy communication. Moreover, communication focused on kindness and gratitude will keep you focused on what you do have in a relationship as opposed to searching for what’s missing.

Leisure Research on happiness suggests that those who engage in hobbies and activities that align with their interests and passions find life much more enjoyable. Even more important is to engage in these types of activities consistently and often, rather than take a big vacation once a year and work yourself to death the rest of the yearThe most important aspect of leisure is that you enjoy life through small and simple things on a daily basis.

Being aware of these elements in your life and the impact they have on your happiness is the first step to achieving total body and mind wellness.

Photography done by Amanda Compton at amandacomptonphotos.com

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Can I Trust You?

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Do you trust your partner? How would you define trust? Oftentimes,

s ghw | FtheAword M I trust LY with big issues, such as infidelity. While we associate

trust does play a vital role in recovering from a major betrayal, it is the smaller, day to day interactions that teach us how to trust. In my | C U LT U R E work with couples, these three questions are crucial to the process of building trust.

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All of us have a range in which our emotions can fluctuate without becoming overwhelming. Couples are often mismatched in this area. One partner may be comfortable experiencing a wide range of emotions while the other partner may prefer a smaller range. This is not the problem. The problem arises when the patterns that occur between them consistently push both partners beyond the limits of their emotional safety zone.

This often happens during conflict. Couples who consistently escalate beyond their emotional limits when they fight eventually learn to stay away from each other. So, if a couple doesn’t fight, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are in a good place. It could mean that they are both burnt out. The range of their interactions could be severely restricted, where they no longer feel comfortable being upset or happy around each other. They are essentially in a stale mate where both partners are walking on eggshells, never risking anything that would rock the boat. The outcome of these patterns leads to one or both partners seeking ways to experience more “safety zone” time.

Do I matter to you?

We need to know that our presence in a relationship is meaningful.

If partners begin to feel that it would make no difference whether they were there or not, there is a problem. Dr. Sue Johnson has used attachment theory to explain the core connection of couple relationships. Essentially, healthy couples have a certain level of dependence on their partners in order to meet hard-wired, emotional needs for human connection. They need to know that if they had a need, they would be able to reach their partner and that their partner would respond appropriately to that need.

This might be easier if we always felt safe openly expressing our needs. Even healthy couples don’t always do this. Dr. John Gottman has observed that many times we express our needs in more subtle ways, called emotional bids. These are small moments when one partner says, “Hey, I’m going to bed,” rather than saying, “Do you want

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to have sex?” Or when one partner sighs deeply, rather than saying, “I’m feeling down and I need you to come comfort me.” If couples experience patterns of tuning in and responding to each other’s needs, trust will build. If the opposite occurs, they may never feel safe leaning on each other when times get tough.

About the Author Dr. Matt Brown is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He holds a doctorate degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree from Brigham Young University.

He is currently Assistant Professor and Program Director in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and the Clinic Manager at the South Shore Center for Couples and Families.

Can I be happy when I’m with you?

When I am working with couples, one of the things I look for is their ability to share a positive moment together.

This is not as simple as laughing about something that happened that day.

It goes deeper. I’m looking for their ability to talk about something positive that has happened between the two of them. If both partners can simultaneously experience the positive emotions associated with that memory, this tells me they feel safe being happy in each other’s presence. If they can’t, or the positive moment is quickly followed by a litany of problems, it tells me they are not yet comfortable leaning on each other. They don’t trust that opening up to each other emotionally will be a good experience.

A great way for a couple to see where they stand is to discuss the story of their relationship. Dr. Gottman’s research has looked at the way couples talk about their relationship and predicted whether or not they will stay together with surprising accuracy. When couples have clear and specific memories of how they met, can talk openly about difficult times and how they got through them, and when the male partner is positive and affectionate in his descriptions, it is a good indicator that the couple is on the right track.

How can I build trust?

Like many things in life, it is the small and seemingly insignificant moments that lay the foundation of trust. Get to know yourself and what goes on in your head and heart when you are with your partner. Do you feel hurt or rejected at times? Are you always waiting for the other shoe to drop? How do you respond to that? Do you respond with anger? Do you shut off emotionally and pretend you were not affected? The more you can identify some of the deeper emotions and assumptions you might be making about why your partner did something, the easier it will be to express that to them.

When both partners are making intentional efforts to pay attention to themselves and each other, it will be easier for them to catch those small opportunities to reach out and connect with each other. If you don’t think you will able to get there on your own, find a therapist who has experience working with couples that can help facilitate those conversations. And remember, change occurs over a thousand small moments. The small, positive moments that build trust are the threads in the tapestry of a healthy couple relationship.

Behold: Bay Area’s Luxury Real Estate Market!

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By James Brockway We all know that luxury is in the eye of the beholder, but luxury can also be defined by geography. In Malibu, California, for instance, luxury is a $7,500,000 home on the Pacific Coast, boasting 3,000 square feet, three bedrooms and three baths. In Marina Del Sol, Kemah, for the same price, you could purchase an 11,000 square foot mansion on an expansive lot on Clear Lake, complete with swimming pool. Go ahead and throw in a SeaRay 61 foot Sundancer, valued at over $1,000,000, to cruise around in the lake just to even out the pricing.

Ask 5 people what they consider a luxury home to be and you’ll most likely get 5 answers. Price tag alone does not, by definition, make a home luxurious. Take, for example, a home that’s located right on the outskirts of downtown. The home may be a shanty, but because it is so close to downtown, the land value may be very high.

Or a 1,200 square foot home overlooking the most scenic cliff in Maui. Is it a luxury home because it is listed at $1,500,000, even though it hasn’t been updated in 30 years?

More commonly, luxury homes are defined by their unique (and typically expensive) features, such as crown molding, wrought iron staircases, wine cellars and granite countertops; their proximity to golf courses and/or water (beaches, lakes and rivers); and yes, their price. Usually they are larger homes, say 5,000 square feet and bigger, that might reside on large lots. Tract homes, they are not. Drive through an exclusive neighborhood and, most likely, you will not see many homes that look alike.

If you are looking for luxury in the Clear Lake area, consider these communities: Bay Oaks: This wooded community surrounds the Bay Oaks Country Club, a premier Arthur Hills designed 18-hole golf course.

Average sales prices are $465,000, but some of the more exquisite homes sell for greater than $1,000,000.

Constellation Pointe: This exclusive gated League City community (87 platted lots) on Clear Lake is comprised of breathtaking

waterfront homes and homes with water views ranging in price from the mid $400s to over $1,000,000.

Marina Del Sol: With only 27 homes in the community, selling for a median price of $850,000, this tight knit waterfront community is nestled on the south side of Clear Lake. Most of these homes offer spectacular views of About the Author James Brockway, of Brockway the lake.

Realty, has been representing Taylor Lake Shores: The City of Taylor home buyers and sellers Lake Village is populated by more than throughout the Clear Lake 4,000 citizens and, at its foundation, is and Houston area since 1992. He is a Certified lakefront living. In Taylor Lake Shores, Residential Specialist its premier luxury community, some of (CRS), an Accredited Buyer the most spectacular waterfront homes Representative (ABR), and a Certified International can be found, ranging in price from the Property Specialist (CIPS). $300s to over $1,000,000.

Waterford Harbor: With a median price of about $500,000, this gated waterfront community boasts homes valued up to $1,500,000. Waterford Harbor Marina is adjacent to these fortunate homeowners, providing immediate access to Clear Lake at a moment’s notice.

Whispering Lakes Ranch: Boasting a minimum of one acre per lot, this gated subdivision in League City gives you the feel of luxurious country living, just far enough from the freeway but close to lakefront activities, Kemah and the South Shore Harbour Country Club. As you meander through the subdivision, you are sure to be impressed by the expansive lots and the lakes situated throughout the community.

Home prices range from the mid $400,000s to over $800,000.

The Bay Area has all the luxury one could want, whether it be waterfront living with boating access to the Gulf of Mexico, marinas, golf course living or simply a custom home with acreage.

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The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

By Dr. Michael Olson, LMFT

As we begin the New Year, many of us stop to consider the stress and challenges in our lives and how we might better handle them. Since we all deal with stress at some point, it is important to know the good, bad, and ugly facts.

About the Author Dr. Mike Olson is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Texas. He graduated with his Master’s degree from Brigham Young University and his Ph.D. from Kansas State University. Following graduate study, he completed a post-doctoral research and clinical fellowship in Behavioral Medicine from the UTMB, Galveston.

The Good. We often think of stress as a bad thing, something that we must eradicate from our lives. Yet, without it, we would not be able to survive a single day. There is, deep within our brains, an amazing little factory called the hypothalamus that produces/secretes very powerful and potent chemicals called neuropeptides and neuro-hormones. The hypothalamus works with the pituitary and adrenal glands to secrete these hormones, which include cortisol and epinephrine or adrenalin. The levels of these neuro-hormones naturally rise and fall on a daily basis and help us to wake up in the morning, focus and deal with the challenges of each day, and finally, allow us to drop off into sleep at night.

The Bad. The problem that most of us have is not the presence of stress or the stress hormones that flow through our blood stream each day. It is however, the excess of these hormones as they build up in the body without release. Take a car engine, for example. The engine revs and shifts as the gas pedal is pressed. The RPMs continue to climb as the demands rise on the engine. If the pedal remains pressed down without release, the RPMs will reach a critical level and eventually the engine will overheat and breakdown. The brain and body work in a similar way.

When the stressors of life place demands on us, our brain produces the chemicals necessary to deal with that stress. The branch of the central nervous system (CNS) called the autonomic nervous system controls the “gas pedal” and the “braking system” of the body, called the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The beauty of these systems is that they are self-regulatory and will, if left alone, rebalance.

The Ugly. The problem is that with repeated stressors (worries, financial stress, work and family problems, etc.) these systems fail to rebalance and keep the “gas pedal” pressed. Chronic elevation of stress hormones has been shown to lead to a host of health problems, including auto-immune disorders, skin problems, musculo-skeletal pain, arterial/heart disease, inflammation, and the list goes on. The relationship between stress and performance is not linear, meaning that an increase in stress will lead to an increase in performance or functioning only to a point and then it deteriorates, leading us to function less and less effectively.

What to do? Dr. Herbert Benson, a cardio-vascular surgeon and researcher from Harvard and founder of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine, has spent the last 30+ years studying what he calls the “relaxation response.” His work has shown that with a few simple steps, entirely within our control, we can activate this relaxation response, or brake system in the body.

The first step is diaphragmatic breathing (slowly inhaling through the nose, slowly exhaling through the mouth with pursed lips to slow the flow of air). Deep and slow breathing increases and decreases pressure on the vagal nerves and flow of blood from the heart to the brain. The rhythm of the heart is effected (more variability or change in the rhythm), which is connected to the brake system of the body, as well.

The second step is to focus on a word, a number or a short phrase that is repeated in the mind as you take deep breaths. As other distracting thoughts come into your mind, passively disregard or let these thoughts flow through your mind and then return to your repetition (word, phrase, number). Dr. Benson has shown that within 3-5 minutes of following these steps, measurable reductions in cortisol, epinephrine, increased oxygen in the blood, increased delta/theta waves in the brain (slow, undulating, relaxed brain frequencies), are present. Finding the place/time to practice this basic skill on a daily basis can have measurable positive effects on health by significantly reducing stress in the body.

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Restaurant Journey:

Al-Basha Mediterranean Grill About the Author Kori Elyse Schimming is a sophomore at Friendswood High School. Kori is a student athlete who has played volleyball, basketball and soccer. She is now focusing on soccer and is a member of the varsity soccer team. Kori has an interest in journalism.

Kori wants to play college soccer. After college her desire is to be a teacher and soccer coach. She is like most teenagers and likes to shop and go to the nail salon and hangout with her friends.

Kori is one of six children.

By Kori E. Schimming If you’re in the mood for some great Middle Eastern cuisine, check out Al-Basha Mediterranean Grill located in the Webster/Clear Lake area (300 W Bay Area Blvd Ste 700). The owner, Mohammed Ihmedah, took over in 2012, and has consistently turned out first class Mediterranean food and developed a loyal local following. The first impression of the restaurant is, of course, visual. The decor is beautiful, with vibrant colors and lighting. The prominent salad bar, itself a rainbow of delectable colors, offers many options from which to choose, including hummus, fatoush, babaganoush, and tabouli.

Everything looked and tasted very fresh. This is a great option if you’re new to Mediterranean cuisine and want to sample a number of different dishes. The buffet offers a great selection of meats and vegetables, including lamb and chicken shawarma, kibbeh, and other delicacies. Once you’ve honed in on a few favorites, you can order from a menu as well. The wait staff is friendly and helpful, and they are happy to guide the novice. Al-Basha has a nice selection of traditional pastries, such as Baklava. They also serve Rose Water and traditional teas. Worth noting is that all meat is handled according to strict Halal standards in compliance with Muslim dietary laws. Oh, and I should mention the fresh baked pita bread. (Although I probably shouldn’t eat any more of it!)

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My Art of the Meal Experience:

My husband s ghw | F Aand MI Ihad LYthe opportunity to observe the Vegan meal

class on a Saturday evening. We stepped into the glass door of 1354 Nasa Parkway to find a close group of culinary enthusiasts mingling, | C U LT U R E nibbling on delicious appetizers, and sipping their personal wine in a clean modern spacious venue. Co-owner, Dean Sprouse, describes | WPainting E L L With NES S it: “It is like a Twist, but with cooking instead of painting.”

The exquisite menu of Cauliflower & Kale Pie, Spinach Balls with Pesto, Spaghetti Squash with Apples and Toasted Pecans, and Portabella Mushroom Burgers taught the class that there is much more to do with vegetables than simply steaming them. Ginger

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Sprouse brought everyone together to introduce themselves before they dove into cooking, which enhanced the friendly atmosphere. The class of 12 was then divided up into 3 quant 4-person stations. Through each step, Ginger patiently attended to each student to check their progress. Her demeanor was one About the Author of a teacher who has taught for Brandi Hinson is the founder and owner of Elizabeth 30 years. In addition to walking Bradford Photography. She them through the recipes, she graduated from Abilene gave thorough explanations of the Christian University with ingredient selections and cooking a BBA in Marketing. She is currently the Business tools. The students were so excited Manager for BAHW about their dishes that several of Magazine. them called me over to see how beautiful they turned out.

Once all the meals were cooked, the students joined together as a big happy family and began setting the tables so that they could enjoy a nice dining experience tasting their creations.

We left them in peace once they got everything plated and we know they had a fantastic remainder to the evening.

About Art of the Meal: Founder, Co-Owner, and Culinary Coach, Ginger Sprouse has an undeniable passion for cooking. A self-taught chef and former dairy cow farmer attended a cooking class in a Houston addressed condo and the rest was history. She decided that she too wanted to share her love of cooking and teach the simplicity and joy of cooking at home in a more inviting and spacious venue than what the condo offered. It is now nearly 9 months since their grand opening and classes are staying booked so get online and reserve your date soon! While you anxiously await your cooking class, visit Ginger’s blog on the website for some excellent tips. Please note they also offer private events, such as kids’ birthday parties and corporate events. We truly loved this husband/wife team and plan on having our very own date night soon! Check them out! Go to www.artofthemeal.net, select the date of your desired meal, and begin this fantastic journey….

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Supp lem e n ts Necessary or Needless?

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Dr. Serge is a clinical nutritionist. He received his doctorate McGill Cdegree U Lfrom TU RE University in Canada.

He completed a 7-year postdoctoral training WE L L atN E S Harvard Medical School, and holds an advance certification in Nutrition Response Testing from Ulan Nutritional Systems in Florida. Dr. Serge is a certified herbalist through the Australian College of Phytotherapy.

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By Dr. Serge Gregoire We constantly hear from different sources that we do not need supplements if we eat a variety of healthy foods. But is this true? Let’s analyze this question from a scientific perspective.

Over the last several decades, our environment has changed profoundly. There are thousands of pollutants that have contaminated our food, air, and water supplies. Agriculture has become mechanical and more intensive, which has led to the erosion of our soil. There are several other reasons that support the idea that supplementation may be necessary for most of us: • A decline in soil diversity and quality, which leads to a decline in nutrient density of foods • A major decrease in diversity of plant species consumed • An increase in exposure to pollutants • Overuse of medication, such as antibiotics, birth control, etc.

• A major increase in chronic stress and anxiety • A decrease in sleep quality and duration • A reduction in time spent outside and doing outdoor activities • An increase in time spent sitting down Based on these reasons, it is very hard to obtain all the required vitamins and minerals directly from our food that we consume every day. Presently, the major problem that we face is the quality of our food supply. It has declined very rapidly over the last few decades.

Let’s look at the topsoil, which is the upper outmost layer of the soil.

This is where the biological activity of the soil occurs, meaning this is where the plants obtain their nutrients in order to properly develop

and grow. A few centuries ago, the topsoil was around 15-20 feet deep. It was very dense and nutritious. Today, it is only about 6-8 inches! This is a major decrease in the biological value of the soil.

Consequently, the food that we grow and consume today does not contain all the nutrients that the body needs to properly function on a daily basis. For example, a carrot grown 50 years ago contained 2030 times more vitamin A than a carrot grown today. Therefore, you would actually have to eat a whole bag of carrots to get the same nutritional value that our parents and grandparents did.

It is becoming apparent that supplementation is necessary to be healthy and prevent disease. Additionally, as a clinical nutritionist who specializes in helping people with unique, complex, chronic conditions, I am greatly aware that supplements can be used to help with healing the body, instead of using medications as a temporary fix.

In this case, specific supplements are recommended for a specific time in order to address a specific issue. When used this way, supplements have a therapeutic value and are very powerful in the treatment of disease. Having said this, diet is always the place to start, but it is not enough, on its own, to resolve chronic health problems.

Taken together, it has become obvious that wise supplementation is necessary in order to be and stay healthy. Because there are thousands of different types of supplements, you may want to follow the recommendation of a health professional who can guide you and help you devise an individualized program that will address your own health situation.

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WELLNESS

The last time you travelled, how did you feel? Were you happy and healthy? Traveling can be fun and exciting, but it can also be very exhausting, stressful and leave us feeling sick and tired. We tend to eat poorly and, in the end, we arrive at our destination fatigued, exhausted, stressed and sometimes ill.

Is there a way to travel and feel invigorated? YES! Here are a few ideas to consider before you make your next journey.

About the Author

Darlene Staheli is a board Before you travel: certified Holistic Health 1. Go to bed. Getting a good night’s sleep before you Coach and a professionally travel seems like a no-brainer, but with the last minute trained Health Supportive Chef. Upon completing packing, few of us actually obtain the zzzs we need. Plan her Health Coach training ahead to get at least 7 good hours of sleep. program through the Institute 2. Take Vitamins C, K, Zinc, Probiotics and Antioxidants. These of Integrative Nutrition, help to boost the immune system. A few days before and (NYC) she received her board certification through the during your travels, try eating foods or taking supplements AADP. that are high in these beneficial micronutrients. Whole foods high in these nutrients include: a. Vitamin C: berries, cabbage, citrus fruits, kiwi, melons, green peas, peppers, pineapple. b. Vitamin K: Greens! mustard, turnip, and beet greens, kale, swiss chard, spinach, watercress. c. Zinc: beans, cashews, almonds, pistachios and whole grains. d. Probiotics: pickles, miso soup, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, tempeh and kimchi. e. Antioxidants: berries of all varieties, and don’t overlook dark chocolate. It’s loaded with wonderful antioxidants.

While you are traveling: 1. Stay hydrated. Drink! In order for the cells in our bodies to function properly, they need to be hydrated. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day.

2. Wash your hands. Frequently. And don’t touch your eyes, nose, mouth or any open sores or wounds you may have.

3. Eat real, whole foods before and during your travels. Putting real food in our mouths is one of the top ways to increase our energy. If we eat processed and “food-like” substances, our bodies have to spend a tremendous amount of energy trying to digest all the chemicals and additives. Some examples of whole, travel-friendly foods include: a. Fresh fruit: apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, cut up melon with a delicious dip. b. Fresh veggies: cherry tomatoes, cucumber, jicama, carrot and celery sticks, and cauliflower. c. Trail mixes and Granola d. Hummus: for the veggies or for making your own veggie wraps. e. Peanut and almond butter: and other nut/seed butter.

What about air travel? And what if you don’t want to pack food? I have a client who hates to cook and frequently travels to Europe for work. When we talked about eating real, whole foods when she traveled, she was panicked! She was sure she wouldn’t be able to find anything at all. What she found was the complete opposite. She can now navigate through any airport and find the good stuff.

Did you know that you can bring food with you when you fly? On the TSA.org website it state that your food must be wrapped or in containers with lids. So, yes to sandwiches, yes to wraps, and yes to salads. Liquids, such as salad dressings, are also fine, as long as they are 3.4 ounces or less and are in a clear container. Ice packs are allowed, as long as they are frozen solid and in a leak proof container.

So, the next time you need to get out of town, try asking yourself, “What am I going to eat?” If you follow these simple suggestions, you’re bound to feel great and have the energy you need. Happy travels!

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Kindness IN an Unexpected Place

By Camille Olson As the cashier started to ring my groceries up, I leaned over to her and said, “Ma’am, I only have $67.00.” She smiled back as if to say, “Yes, I know, this happens a lot….and don’t worry, I won’t let you go over.”

I hardly ever grocery shop with my children, it is just easier to go when they are at school. I think there is wisdom in that. It seems that things magically appear in the shopping cart and it fills up twice as fast with twice as much junk food when they are with me. This shopping experience was no difference and before I knew it, the cashier was telling me that I had to make some “choices about what I want”… my total was quickly reaching $67 with ten items still left to be rung up. Without thinking twice, I started throwing all the junk food out of the cart, and prioritizing what was absolutely needed. You see, at Aldi’s they only take cash and debit (I refuse to use a debit card), so there was no way I could “charge” my way out of the bind I was in.

After the “great divide” happened between the needed and not

so needed items, I asked the cashier to continue. We watched the total carefully crawl towards $67. “Scan that, no take it off.” My total came to $67.95. Are you kidding me? “Okay, take it off,” I said, “We don’t need that.” That’s when I heard it softly, over the moans of my children’s distress. “Ma’am, ring up all of the rest of the groceries. I will buy them for her.”

I turned in half disbelief and embarrassment. “I will buy the rest, so please keep scanning the items”, she said again. As I protested and insisted to this sweet lady that it was not necessary, she just kept telling the cashier. “I’m in charge, I’m in charge, I’m in charge…ring up the groceries!” And that is exactly what happened. The groceries were scanned, the total was calculated, and the money was paid, ON MY BEHALF. With gratitude in my heart, I leaned over and offered her a great big hug of admiration and gratitude. I whispered my heart felt thank you and with a twinkle in my eye and a smile on my face and I asked her, “And who put you in charge anyway?”

:: HEALTH Q&A Question:

I have heard a lot of people say that it is bad to eat in front of the TV. Is this really true?

Does it really matter how or where we eat?

Answer:

by Victor Sierpina, MD, ABFM, ABIHM From my years working as an emergency room doctor, I learned the bad habit of eating too fast. The problem with eating fast is that we have overshot the amount we need to eat before the signals of satisfaction and fullness reach our brain. Do this often enough, and we surely gain weight. Eating on the run, while driving, while reading, watching TV, or working on the computer are all other ways we get distracted from being mindful of our stomach’s feedback.

We eat for many reasons and being mindful of our stomach’s signals is an important part of improving our awareness of why. Most of us don’t notice our stomach’s signals except if it is growling in hunger, feels over distended from eating too much (like after Thanksgiving dinner!), or if we are sick with

nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. Ignoring these signals or misinterpreting them can lead to overeating, eating too fast, or eating out of habit, rather than when we are truly hungry.

5 tips for Mindful Eating: 1) Experience the full spectrum of taste, colors, aromas, and textures in your food.

2) Eat and chew slowly.

3) Prepare your meals lovingly from basic ingredients, when possible.

4) Avoid distractions while eating.

5) Listen to the signals of your stomach. Stop before you feel slightly full.

Dr. Victor Sierpina is currently the director of the Medical Student Education Program at UTMB, Galveston. He is a WD and Laura Nell Nicholson Family Professor of Integrative Medicine, and also a Professor in Family Medicine. He is a University of Texas Distinguished Teaching Professor. His clinical interests have long included holistic practices, wellness, lifestyle medicine, mind-body therapies, acupuncture, integrative oncology, nutrition, and non-pharmacological approaches to pain.

What’s Your Question?

Do you have a question that needs to be answered? Ask our local expert! Please submit your question to bahwmagazine@gmail.com.

Please include your name and email address. Don’t worry, we will keep you anonymous in the magazine!

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | March/April 2015 27

CALENDAR OF

E V E N T S

March 26 What: Lyme Disease Workshop When: 6:00 pm Where: Mind and Body Solutions, Friendswood

April 11 What: Recreational Group Bike Ride When: Every Saturday morning at 7:30 am Where: Parking lot of the school across the street from the Webster Bicycle.

March 27-28 What: Livestock Show When: 7:00 pm Where: Clear Lake High School

April 11 What: International Wine Festival (Buy tickets at kemahwine.com) Where: Kemah Boardwalk

March 26-29 What: South West International Boat Show Where: South Shore Harbour Marina

April 11-12 What: Kemah Triathlon When: 5:30 am Where: Kemah Boardwalk

March 29 What: Easter Egg Hunt. Free event, children ages 0-12 Where: Chester L. Davis Sportsplex, League City

April 13 What: Keep Kids in School Golf Tournament. Following the Golf Tournament is the Raise Your Glass to Communities in Schools (CIS).

Where: Bay Oaks Country Club

April 1 What: Comedy Magic Show When: Thursday nights at 7:00 pm Where: Murder By Chocolate, Egret Bay Blvd April 3-5 (Easter Weekend) What: Decorate Easter Egg Cookies, pictures with the Easter Bunny, Bunny Hop Egg Hunt (kids 8 & under).

Where: Kemah Boardwalk April 4 What: Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Where: Aquarium Restaurant, Kemah Boardwalk April 4 What: Wellness Walk When: All day event.

Where: Walter Hall Park April 4 What: Space City Cruisers Car & Bike Show (registration is $30 per car and $25 per bike.) Admission is free and open to the public.

When: 7:00 to 11:00 am Where: Walter Hall Park April 5 (Easter Sunday) What: Easter SONrise Service Nondenominational worship When: 7:30 am Where: Kemah Boardwalk April 10-26 What: Crawfish Festival Where: Kemah Boardwalk April 11 What: Clear Lake Shores Farmers Market When: Every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Where: Clear Lake Shores, FM 2094

April 17 What: Teen Night When: Every Friday night from 9:00 to 11:00 pm Where: Putt-Putt FunHouse April 18 What: Earth Day Kick Off Where: NASA Space Center Houston April 18 What: Yuri’s Night 5K When: 12:00 to 1:00 pm Where: Nassau Bay April 18-19 What: Great Outdoors Event Where: Kemah Boardwalk April 23 What: Free Screenings for Head & Neck Cancers When: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Where: Memorial Hermann Southeast Cancer Center April 25 What: Corvette Show Where: Kemah Boardwalk April 26 What: Blood Drive When: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm Where: 18220 Upper Bay Road, Houston April 30 What: Connections of the Heart Luncheon When: 10:30 am to 1:00 pm Where: Moody Gardens Hotel & Convention Center

If you have an exciting event that you would like us to include in our magazine, please feel free to contact us at bahwmagazine@gmail.com.

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Kids Corner: A Quick and Nutritious After School Snack Mini apple snacks: After washing and drying your apples, cut them into thick slices.

Core out the middle, spread peanut butter on the apple, and sprinkle with coconut/raisins. Enjoy!

Note: Are you worried about feeding your kids peanut butter as a snack? Here is what Marge Perry reported in “Prevention,” 2011 It’s packed with nutrition: A serving of peanut butter has 3 mg of vitamin E, 49 mg of bone-building magnesium, 208 mg of potassium.

Research shows that eating peanuts can decrease your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions It’s got the good fat: Peanut butter is chock-full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. A recent study found that insulin-resistant adults who ate a diet high in monos had less belly fat than people who ate more carbohydrates or saturated fat.”

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | March/April 2015 29

In this issue, we seek to add our voices to the many in our community and state who are speaking out against the dangers of distracted driving. Whether you agree or not with the need for laws to make distracted driving illegal, the facts regarding the dangers of this behavior are sobering and staggering.

We, at the Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine pledge to not text and drive!

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Consider the following sobering statistics: • In 2011, 23% of auto crashes involved cell phones (1.3 million crashes).

ans Against ting & Driving

• The minimal amount of time your attention is taken away from the road when you’re driving and texting is 5 seconds, which at 55mph=the length of a football field without looking at the road.

• Texting makes a crash 23X more likely.

• 13% of drivers age 18-20 involved in car wrecks admitted to texting or talking on their phones at the time of the crash.

• Teens who text while driving spend approximately 10% of their driving time outside of their lane.

What about adults?

• 4 8% of drivers have seen their parent(s) drive while talking on a cell phone.

• 1 5% of young drivers have seen their parent(s) text while driving.

• 2 7% of adults have sent or received text messages while driving.

• 4 8% of kids age 12-17 have been in a car while the driver has been texting.

• 1 in 5 drivers of all ages confess to surfing the web while driving.

Texting While Driving Causes: • 1,600,000 accidents per year (National Safety Council) • 3 30,000 injuries per year (Harvard Center for Risk Analysis Study) • 11 teen deaths EVERY DAY (Ins. Institute for Hwy Safety Fatality Facts) The members of our team at BAHW Magazine live and work in the Bay Area. Our children attend schools here. The safety of our families, and yours, are of paramount importance to us. We invite all to seriously consider the risks of distracted driving and pledge to go text-free along with the young drivers in our families.

Text-Free Driving Pledge: Teens & parents can also take the text-free driving pledge at the following address: http://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com Source: http://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats/ 30 www.txhwmagazines.com

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | March/April 2015 31

INDIVIDUAL, COUPLE & FAMILY THERAPY As a group of professional therapists, we specialize in individual, couple, and family therapy in the Friendswood, Clear Lake, League City, and surrounding areas.

Working together to help you grow (281) 317-7326

www.southshorefamilies.com

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