Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine September October 2015

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

complimentary

Cover Story

My Journey With Breast Cancer See page 8

INSIDE: Build a Bridge‌ and Run Over It Freedom from Bullying Ramadan: A Month of Fasting and Prayer

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

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Health

My Journey with Breast Cancer 8 BRCA Gene 9 A Beacon of Hope: Ashma Moosa 10 Clear Lake Regional Cancer Support Group 11 Why We Love the Wellness Way 12 Consider New Workout Choices 14 Botox and Depression 15 Health Q&A 30

BODY

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Senior Focus

FINANCIAL

Plantar Fasciitis 5 | FA M Build a Bridge… andI LY Run Over It

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Can We Cure Allergies? 24 Taste Your Way to Better Health

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s ghw | M for I NRelief D & Foam Rolling 4

The Pursuit of Happiness

Nutrition

On The Cover: Patty Mendiola Meerasahib.

Hand E Dr. A Anish LT H Photography by His and Hers Foto.

Fitness

Mind-Body

Ramadan: A Month of Fasting and Prayer 22

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Have All the Buyers Gone Back to School? 19 The Art of Jewelry Making 20

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Family Wellness Raising Resilient Children: Freedom from Bullying 17 Putting Down Roots in Times of Transition 18

Aging Gracefully = Let’s Get Moving!

Putting the “Independent” Back in Living 29

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Community A Great Gatsby Affair & Party on the Patio 31

bs ghw a h w | fWr Eo LmL tNhEeS eSd i to r To Visit Us on Facebook:

Gratitude for the Little Things In the fast paced frenetic world that we live in, it is easy to be distracted from the little things in life that often contribute to and constitute our happiness and wellbeing. Take a moment to just watch a child. In quiet observation, you might rediscover the basic, tiny, “insignificant” things that make a child smile. A little butterfly flittering across the windshield of a car, the sound of a child laughing that results in a smile, a rolly polly making its trek across the sidewalk. Children are so quick to laugh and express surprise and wonder at the world.

An integral part of health and wellness is gratitude. By opening our hearts and allowing ourselves to be grateful for the little things in life, we will find greater contentment, which ultimately brings more gratitude for what we have in our lives. “Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more, it turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”1 Melody Beattie

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To Visit Our Website:

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 Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2015 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.

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About the Author

Foam Rolling for Relief

By Kim Thomas

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Kim is an AFAA certified Group Fitness Instructor and Schwinn certified Indoor Cycling Instructor at the South Shore Harbour Fitness center, where she has taught since 2011. Kim has competed and placed in three half marathons and finished fourth place (in her age group) in her first full marathon. As a mother of two busy boys, she understands the need for balance between home and hobbies. She is a native of Syracuse, New York, and graduated from the State University College at Oneonta with a bachelor’s degree in English.

You may have seen oversized “pool noodles” being used at your gym, or maybe you caught wind of a phrase called “foam rolling.” What exactly is this?

Foam rolling or “self-myofacial release” (SMR) is a fancy term for a deep tissue self-message, a great way to release tension or muscle tightness in your body.

Gabe Moreno, personal trainer at The Fitness Center at South Shore Harbour and assistant strength coach for the Houston Astros, explains, “Pressure is applied to muscles, making use of the autogenic inhibition reflex, where a contracted or stretched muscle relaxes when high tension is placed upon it. This allows the muscle to be stretched further, increasing the benefits of the stretch.” In a nutshell, Gabe says, “A foam roller works by improving blood circulation, which leads to a more efficient exchange of nutrients at the cellular level, breaking down adhesions and scar tissue and lengthening tight muscles, tendons and ligaments. All this contributes to improving flexibility and increasing range of motion.”

To foam roll properly, situate yourself on top of the roller and apply moderate pressure to a specific muscle or muscle group using your bodyweight. Slowly roll back and forth on the roller, moving about an inch per second. Pause on tight or painful areas for several seconds and relax as much as possible. The muscle will slowly start to release and the discomfort should lessen in 5 to 30 seconds. If it is too painful to apply direct pressure on a certain area, begin by rolling the surrounding areas to gradually loosen the entire region.

Some of Gabe’s favorite Foam Roller exercises: • Rolling the IT Band - If your IT Band has been causing problems, lay on your side with the foam roller under your leg and roll from your hip down the side of your leg to the outside of your knee. (You will FEEL this exercise and it will probably be pretty uncomfortable while you’re doing it, but the benefits can be felt almost immediately.)

• Rolling the Quadriceps - Lay face down with the roller under your legs and roll your body on top of it from the hip flexors down to just above the knee.

• Rolling the Glutes - Sit one glute on the roller and roll back and forth to get the glutes and piriformis.

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Plantar Fasciitis

By Dr. David Redding Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is a common condition that affects approximately 2 million people in the U.S. each year. It can develop as a result of a degenerative process or from trauma, either sudden or repetitive, in a single foot or both feet. PF can be quite painful, especially in the morning when one attempts to take the first steps out of bed or after having sat for a period of time.

It’s a wonder we don’t give more attention to the workings of the foot since it contains one quarter of the bones of the entire body, 26 bones in all. In order for this mechanical work of art to function, there are strong fibrous tissues holding all these bones together, called ligaments, fascia and aponeurosis. Feet have over 100 muscles and tendons, as well, making the foot and ankle area a busy place. Over the course of typical day, feet can experience the cumulative force of over several hundred tons.

So what makes the plantar fascia inflame and why isn’t everybody suffering with sore feet!?

PF is more prevalent in women but seen in both sexes, especially in runners. PF is the inflammation of the fibrous tissue that helps to support the sole of the foot. Stress fractures and nerve entrapment can cause similar pain or be present at the same time.

Obesity, improper footwear leading to over pronation of the foot or poor shock absorption are common mechanical causes of PF. Often, the patient experiences tight calves or achilles tendon issues and the altered mechanics from the upper leg muscles not functioning properly can start the inflammatory process. As the patient begins to walk differently due to the foot pain, the hip, pelvis, and low back can be thrown out of alignment, leading to low back pain.

Treatment can consist of chiropractic manipulation to help correct boney misalignments in the foot and ankle region. Soft tissue manipulation in the form of Active Release Technique, Muscle Activation Therapy, Graston, and Airrosti are excellent first line therapies to help restore normal relative motion and function in the plantar fascia and lower leg muscles. Home rehab may consist of isometric toe curl and extension exercises to strengthen the muscles of the foot. Self massage with a hot stone followed by stretching on a tennis or lacrosse ball can also provide some relief. Orthotics can be provide some support to the inflamed area, especially if there is bone spur involvement. If surgery is considered, proper blood work and nerve conduction tests should be performed to rule out nerve entrapment or rheumatoid arthritis.

Plantar fasciitis can be a major pain and treatment can be prolonged, but with conservative care, relief can be found.

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About the Author

Dr. David Redding, with sghw | CTherapy, U L ThasU R E Pro-Fit Sports practiced in Friendswood for over 20 years. In addition to chiropractic, Whe isEMaster LLN Level certified in Active 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. He has assisted world class athletes with injury prevention and performance enhancement, and has made an impact on athletes in the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics as well collegiate and high school athletes. He is passionate about helping Masters level athletes train to their potential.

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About the Author Deepa Patel is a biomedical engineer and a resident of Seabrook. A transplant from Phoenix, AZ, she has made her home in Clear Lake over the past several years.

Her passion for an active lifestyle and community involvement led her to the Bay Area Running Club, an organization that exemplifies the run-and-fun way of life.

Build a Bridge… and Run Over It

By Deepa Patel Human nature is to persevere relentlessly in pursuit of betterment.

Whether a battle is physical or emotional, personal or public, the drive behind the struggle is the sense of relief and accomplishment at the end. Being able to look back at the journey it took to get to the top and see the personal progress makes the fight that much more worthwhile.

The Texas Bridge Series exemplifies this symphony of enduring and reveling in a physical battle. Each fall, thousands of participants conquer personal goals by running up and over iconic Texas bridges in the Gulf Coast area throughout the course of three races, organized

by Running Alliance Sports with collaboration from local partners.

In September, the Toughest 10K Kemah leads racers through the Kemah area and back and forth over the Kemah Bridge. In October, runners compete on the Galveston Causeway in the Toughest 10K Galveston. The series concludes in November with the La Porte By the Bay Half Marathon over the Fred Hartman Bridge. Step-bystep, runners progress to the tops of these landmarks, then enjoy the sweet relief of success on the way back down. The post-race festivities are the premier opportunity to celebrate first races, personal records, unparalleled accomplishments, and most importantly, the human spirit of being a warrior.

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Proceeds from the Texas Bridge Series benefit The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. The Bridge exists to assist women, children, and men in crisis, particularly those who have been affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, or homeless situations. The Bridge is the 8th largest family crisis center in Texas, annually serving 20,000 individuals through residential/non-residential services, community outreach, and prevention/education programs. The Bridge serves as a support system for individuals and families rebuilding their lives by providing access to critical services. The Bridge is a place to be heard, a way to discover options, and a start to attaining personal goals. For those affected by crisis, the battle is both emotional and physical. Their bridges are not something to be conquered in a morning. Each step taken by these individuals and the promise of basking in success is tangible, with the support provided by The Bridge.

Sign up for one, two, or all three races of the Texas Bridge Series at www.onetough10k.org. Each step taken to climb these bridges helps someone in need toward rebuilding and conquering their personal bridges.

The Texas Bridge Series is managed by Running Alliance Sport 501(c) (3). They are 100% volunteer based with 100% of the profit benefitting local charities ($403,529.03 to date).

They focus on the runner experience with “Everyone is a VIP” at all their races. Whether you are a walker, runner or elite, everyone enjoys the award winning after party with real catered food and drinks.

Runners, swag includes a large finishers’ medal at every race, and, if you race all three bridges, a fourth medal! Swag bags also include a wicking technical shirt perfect for running or wearing on a hot Texas day, a custom printed race bib number, and much more.

Register at www.RunningAllianceSport.org or visit them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/kemahtoughest10k www.facebook.com/galvestontoughest10k www.facebook.com/laportebythebayhalfmarathon

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Stronger and Cancer Free:

My Journey with Breast Cancer Interview conducted by Bay Area Health & Wellness Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine is honored to share with you the cancer story of Patty Mendiola. She exemplifies strength and courage as; at her young age, she was faced with the difficult diagnosis of breast cancer. With a long life ahead of her, and with things feeling bleak, she chose to fight and do all she could to overcome. Thank you Patty for your willingness to share your story!

My name is Patty Mendiola and I am a 32 year old pediatric oncology nurse. My journey with cancer began four months ago, on April 2, 2015, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It all started with a routine visit with my primary care physician for my annual check-up. I casually mentioned that there was a history of both breast and colon cancer on my father’s side. That was enough to trigger a concern and my doctor tested me for the BRCA gene. Because of my experience working with adult cancer patients, I knew about the BRCA gene, but didn’t feel too concerned because I was young and had not experienced any of the “symptoms” of breast cancer. To my absolute dismay, all was NOT okay. The testing came back positive….I was a carrier of the BRCA gene, and ultimately, it was confirmed that I did have breast cancer.

Sitting there listening to the doctor, my mind was a whirl as I heard, for the first time, “bilateral mastectomy, total hysterectomy, chemo, cancer…” These words were referring to me! As a 32 year old, who was not married yet, who has dreams of one day having children, these are devastating words. I was in absolute shock. I was not married yet, but was planning on getting married, and we knew 8 www.txhwmagazines.com

we wanted to have kids. Now, all of a sudden, I might not get to do that? I don’t think that having breast cancer was what scared me, it was the fact that I might have ovarian cancer, that I might have my ovaries removed, and wouldn’t be able to have children. And losing my breasts would prevent me from breast feeding my children, something I would love to do. That reality was much harder for me to deal with.

My journey has not been at all easy or pain free. As to be expected, I have cried myself to sleep my fair share of nights and have battled with some depression. After my bilateral mastectomy, I would look at my scars and wonder if I would ever heal. But then I would pick myself up and say, “Why am I crying? There are others out there who are hurting more than me. Every day I go to work and help children who may not overcome their battle with cancer.

I learned that you have to be appreciative and thankful for everything that you have. Enjoy life and just be grateful. Look for the positive. Yes, I have had a bilateral mastectomy, and hopefully I will still have kids; I still work, and am still here and will be able to live many more years. I am incredibly blessed to have doctors like Dr. Meer who I completely trust. He has walked with me through this process, answering questions, being honest and very kind. He is my advocate and invaluable support.

I feel honored to share my story for others to learn from. Please, if you have any history of breast cancer, test to see if you are a carrier of the BRCA gene. I know it is hard to find but if you can catch it early it may make all the difference! I am a Cancer Survivor, I am Cancer FREE, and I am stronger because of my journey with cancer.

BRCA Gene

By Dr. Anish Meerasahib

Breast cancer is quite common; 1 in 8 women will receive a positive diagnosis in their lifetime. But the good news is, with current available mainstream treatments, 9 out of 10 breast cancer patients are completely cured.

BRCA genes, present in each individual, are considered tumor suppressor genes which prevent tumors from forming.

When they are mutated, the body loses part of the capacity to prevent cancer growth. About 10-15% of breast cancers are genetic, with about 10% due to BRCA mutations.

Genetic testing to detect BRCA mutation, as well as other genetic mutations for cancers, is a simple blood test. Women with a personal history of breast cancer diagnosed at a young age, who have triple negative breast cancer and who have significant family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer may meet the criteria of genetic testing. Any men with breast cancer should be considered for genetic testing.

Women who have BRCA mutations may have up to an 80% lifetime risk of breast cancer and 40% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. Bilateral mastectomy reduces the risk of breast cancer by over 94%. Once a woman is done with child bearing, or above 35-40 years, removal of the ovaries reduces ovarian cancer risk by 97%. There are multiple strategies for breast and ovarian cancer prevention and surveillance in this population, as well.

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Dr. Anish Meerasahib earned his medical degree from the C UinLIndia TURE University of Kerala and master’s degree in exercise physiology at the University of Maryland inW College ELLNES Park. He is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology.

His clinical interests are in cancers of breast, colorectal malignancies, lung cancer and genitourinary cancers.

He is also specialized in treating blood disorders and has research interests in kinesiogenomics, cancer genetics and exercise. He is a member of the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology.

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We work

together to help you

GROW

(281) 317-7326

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

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A Beacon of Hope:

Ashma Moosa

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Ashma| Moosa with s ghw C U Lstands TUR E the many other courageous

women who have fought and continue to fight cancer. She has won this battle twice in her life and, from these experiences, | WELLNESS has learned the importance of the rails of friendship and support along that difficult road.

In her own words “my life and my perfect little world changed overnight when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2005 at the age of 42. Then in 2010, at the age of 47, I was faced with breast cancer. When I tell people cancer was a blessing my life, they really think that I have gone mad!

I walked this journey embracing faith, dignity, and pride. I never gave up hope. The most important thing for me was to make sure my children were taken care of and that they would not be scared . . . my husband and I decided that God has given us the opportunity to turn this into a positive experience in our lives. This was our chance to teach them (and others) to be strong and never give up hope.” She goes on to explain that one important way she has been able to give back after her own fight has been to stand next to others as they walk the long road.

“As I have moved along my journey with cancer, never questioning “why me?” I have found my true purpose in life.

Now I take one day off a week and volunteer my time at MD Anderson to pass my light of hope on to others walking this difficult journey. I have met so many beautiful people, true survivors, with hearts of gold. I tell them to never lose hope, find your purpose in life, go for it and create!”

When illness enters a life, one must decide how to make sense or meaning of it.

For many, this process takes some time, but ultimately, all will have to decide which path to climb; one of hope and triumph or the other of fear and failure. Tapping into her faith, her family, and other support systems, Ashma took the high road – not only to win her own fight, but to help others, as well. Erik Erickson, a noted American Psychologist who served as a professor at

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Harvard and Yale universities, described this process as “generativity” or turning one’s time, attention, and talents to others.

Ashma has been recognized for her efforts to lift and inspire others in their journey and fight against cancer. In 2015, she was awarded the IMAGH’s community service award, which reads, “She rose like a phoenix from the ashes with renewed vigor, devoting herself to helping patients and survivors of cancer. She became a volunteer at MD Anderson Cancer Center logging over 700 hours as a volunteer and later became the chairperson for the MD Anderson Survivorship Conference.”1 Ashma and her family continue to volunteer their time at the charity clinic that she and her husband founded, along with other physicians in the Houston Area. Further, she has organized free or low cost mobile mammography camps, and continues her fight by working with local oncologists and plastic surgeons, connecting personally with countless people after their diagnosis of cancer.

Ashma, you are an inspiration to us at BAHW and are changing the lives of countless others in your work. We thank you for sharing your story and your heart with us!

IMAGH’s 2015 Community Service Award Recipient

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CLEAR LAKE REGIONAL

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

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Why We FINANCIAL Love the s ghw | M I N D & B O D Y Wellness s ghw | F A MWay I LY s ghw |

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The state of “health” in the United

States appears to be deteriorating. It is not uncommon for people to have multiple chronic health conditions and to be on a long list of medications. Here are some staggering statistics about the state of our health: • 7.3 million women and their partners suffer from infertility, unable to get pregnant for at least 12 consecutive months (Dept of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention) • Breast cancer is the leading cause among American women and second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths (American Cancer Society Website) • A woman’s chance of developing cancer is 1 in 3. A man’s chance of developing cancer is 1 in 2. (American Cancer Society: Reviewed/updated 10/2014) • An estimated 1 in 68 children in the US have an autism spectrum disorder (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014) • About 1 in 10 Americans aged 12 and over are currently taking an antidepressant and roughly 14% of those taking an antidepressant medications have done so for more than 10 years (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011) • 23.5 million Americans have an autoimmune disease (National Institutes of Health) 12 www.txhwmagazines.com

The reason we love the Wellness Way is that we get to empower people to change their lives for the better every day! The goal of all the Wellness Way clinics is to work with patients to figure out why their bodies aren’t functioning 100%. We take the time to ask the questions, listen to the answers and begin the investigation to figure out the underlying cause of the symptom(s). After we have explored the symptoms, we order the appropriate testing. Our motto is: “We don’t guess…..We test”. The testing protocol is individualized for each patient depending on their history and their symptoms.

About the Author You may be wondering how I became part of the Wellness Way Dr. Angela Dagley received her family seeing as I am the owner of Clear Lake Foot and Ankle and degree of podiatric medicine at I have been practicing podiatry for 16 years. It was a gradual process Dr. William School College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, that began many years ago. As I was practicing podiatry, I continued IL. She has been practicing to see patients coming in with longer lists of health conditions and wellness since the fall of 2014 medications at younger and younger ages. I then began my own under the guidance of Dr. journey to improve my health and increase my energy about 6 years Patrick Flynn, founder of The Wellness Way. She lives in ago. I was absolutely amazed at the common sense things that I started Nassau Bay with her husband learning that just aren’t common knowledge these days. My thirst and two boys. for more information became insatiable as I started reading, taking classes and listening to trainings to learn more. I knew that I wanted to help these individuals get to root cause of the health conditions but I didn’t yet have the avenue to do so.

I then met Dr. Patrick Flynn who is the founder of the Wellness Way clinics. He started the Wellness Way clinic concept 16 years ago in Green Bay, WI and since has opened up branches throughout the country. I had initially approached Dr. Flynn to see if he intended to open a Houston based Wellness Way clinic because I wanted my own family to be patients. I loved their approach to health: Keeping the body functioning as it should instead of chasing symptoms and abnormal lab work with medications. Long story short, I became the practitioner for The Wellness Way Clear Lake branch.

We launched The Wellness Way Clear Lake in the fall of 2015. We began seeing our first patients and started hearing their stories and struggles, both physical and emotional. As we began to take our first steps, we were somewhat cautious as this was new for us. Following the guidance of Dr. Flynn, our patients began to see results. Patients struggling with sleep, anxiety, weight loss, eczema, and stomach conditions began to find relief. With each new patient, our confidence grew that, when followed, the Wellness Way approach works when. You may be asking what magic herb or supplement did we give these patients? The truth is that although our clinic does provide physician strength herbs to help support the body so that it can heal, we gave them something much more powerful…..the knowledge of how the human body works and what it needs to function normally.

It sounds very simple but there is so much information out there on nutrition and health that people become overwhelmed and aren’t sure what to believe. That’s where we come in!! We order the proper testing and then we provide our patients with the knowledge and tools they need to allow their bodies to heal. The human body is amazing and when properly supported, it can achieve miracles. The Wellness Way’s main objectives are to reduce inflammation in the body, support detoxification of the toxins present in the body and help the body to repair and rebuild itself.

The Wellness Way is for anyone looking to get healthy or stay healthy. Our goal is not to keep patients on supplements the rest of their lives but to help their bodies to function properly so that they won’t always need them. We implore anyone who is looking for something more and something better to come to one of our complimentary seminars to learn more about the Wellness Way approach.

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Consider New

WORKOUT

Choices

By the YMCA

At the heart of the YMCA lies the power to transform—both yourself and the world around you. Healthy living involves more than just working out. It encompasses all areas of your life, and, when balanced properly, it makes a whole and complete you!

With our focus going in many directions, keeping our bodies active and healthy can be a huge undertaking. The challenge is to find a program that will help you stay motivated on the path to healthy living. One of the most common reasons for getting off track is boredom in your routine. Challenge yourself by stepping out of your comfort zone and explore your options until you figure out what works best for you. Try something new to rev up a stale exercise routine and break out of your fitness plateau to rise to new heights.

The YMCA, offers a wide variety of exercise choices, as our focus is on strengthening bodies, minds and communities.

1. Weight and Strength Training – There are many advantages to weight training. The fallacy is that you have to be strong to lift weights. This is not the case. Weight training is thought to increase bone density, which helps reduce the risk of breaks among older adults. According to a 2014 research study from UCLA, the more muscle mass we have, the less likely we are to die prematurely. 1

4. Personal Trainer – How many times have you set a fitness goal and not achieved it because you have lost interest or motivation? Through assessment, trainers provide the personal, hand tailored, fitness program that will benefit you, individually. They are fitness experts that will help you learn proper technique, motivate you and hold you accountable until your fitness goals are achieved.

2. Adult Sports League – Participating in a sports league is an effective way for people of all ages to exercise. It takes the monotony out of your work out. In addition to staying active, being involved in a sports league is a great way to meet and make friends that have the same health goals as you.

5. SMART Start Wellness Assessment – is a free tool, offered to all new members at the Y, which is designed to help in the following ways:

3. Exercise Classes – There are many benefits to group exercise classes that might be missed when you work out individually.

Working with an instructor through a class offers consistency in your schedule and a safe workout routine that is designed for you by a qualified instructor. Accountability and the social network that is made is also a huge advantage.

Stop by the Perry Family YMCA or the Edgar A. Smith Family YMCA and let us help you get back on your path to healthy living today!

Huffingtonpost.com Co Author Arun Karlamangla, M.D

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• Set wellness and fitness goals.

• Get better acquainted with the facility and the many wellness options • Get recommendations for appropriate wellness options.

Botox

By Dr. Nicholas Howland

and Depression

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Prepare to have a new “excuse” for getting your Botox fix! There have been several reports in the media | F A M I LY over the last year regarding Botox and depression. Botulinum toxin A, more commonly referred to by its trade About the Author name, Botox, is a drug that blocks nerve activity in the muscles, causing a temporary paralysis, or inhibition of Dr. Nicholas Howland | aCBAUinL T U R E graduated with muscle activity. This effect has been used to treat medical conditions ranging from eye spasms and neck spasms, Business Administration from to overactive bladder and migraine headaches. Most people, however, are more familiar with the use of Botox the University of Utah. He as a way of improving pesky facial wrinkles! In a recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry,1 then completed | hisWmedical ELLNES degree from UTMB. He is investigators studied the ability of Botox injections to reduce symptoms of depression. currently a 4th year plastic In the study, 30 patients with diagnosed depression were randomly assigned to two different groups—one surgery Resident at UTMB. receiving Botox injections, and the other receiving injections with saline only. The injections were performed in the Dr. Howland is fluent in Russian, and avid golfer, glabellar area, the skin at the top of the nose between the eyebrows. This area is commonly “scrunched” together reader, and father of two when we frown or display expressions of anger and sadness. This is also one of the most common areas treated for beautiful children. wrinkles due to these overactive expressions. The patients were followed for 24 weeks. They were given injections at 0 weeks and 12 weeks and were evaluated for signs and symptoms of depression every 3 weeks. The study was able to conclusively show a significant improvement in depression symptoms for those patients who were injected with Botox.

Hopefully, after reading about that study, you are blown away! But it makes sense, right? Simply by blocking the muscles that make us frown and squint in anger, we can be happier. So, if you’ve been contemplating Botox but were worried what your friends or family might think, this is the perfect reason for you to go see your neighborhood plastic surgeon and get a consultation for this new tool to fight depression and become a more happy YOU.

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Magid M, Reichenberg J, Poth P, et al. Treatment of major depressive disorder using botulinum toxin A: a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Psych. Aug 2014; 75(8):837-844.

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Raising Resilient Children:

Freedom from Bullying

By Alyssa Baker

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Bullying is defined as aggressive, About the Author Alyssa Baker is a licensed unwanted behaviors that are centered on C U LT U R and E Family Marriage a power imbalance. According to a |survey Therapist Associate. Along by the US Department of Education, the with practicing at the South prevalence of bullying is at an all-time | low.

W E LShore L NCenter E SforSCouples and Families, she works In 2013, the incidence of bullying dropped as a Behavioral Specialist from 28% to 22% among kids ages 12 to as a part of an Integrative 18. Another survey conducted by the Medicine fellowship with Center for Disease Control also found UTMB Family Medicine in Galveston. Alyssa has that 20% of kids in grades 9-12 experience experience working with bullying.

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individuals, couples, families,

and groups with a variety Is your child being bullied? of stressors; including, mood Although your child might get sick of disorders, chronic medical it and give the same response daily, this is conditions, substance abuse, where conversations about “How was your and relational struggles. day?” are beneficial. Ask questions like, “How was lunch? Who did you sit with?” or “What was your absolute favorite part of the day? Any bad parts?” Communication is the key.

Parents can encourage resiliency in their children by finding creative ways to deal with bullies. The bad news is, there might always be a bully, in one form or another, in our children’s lives. For example, a professor in college, a boss in a future profession, or even coworkers can be potential sources of bullying. Teaching children how to manage their reactions instead of trying to change the behavior of others will provide coping skills that children can use for a lifetime. Activities that are positive and enjoyable will improve your child’s confidence and give them information that tells them, “I am really good at this. This bully is totally wrong when he calls me stupid.” Also, learning to use tools, like humor, and direct communication, can help to deal with bullies in the moment.

Is your child acting like a bully?

It is important to know that your child is not a bully, but he or she may be acting like a bully. It doesn’t feel good to be labeled, and labeling a child as “a bully” solidifies him or her in that role. Ask your child, “What do you know about bullying?” and “When you and your friends interact with this child at school, how might that be considered bullying?” or “Have you ever left someone out of your group on purpose? What was that like?” Questions like this are non-blaming and encourage space for discussion. Who knows, maybe they were bullies at some point, too?

When bullying occurs, it takes a team to approach the situation and make it stop. When educators, parents, and mental health workers come together to advocate for others, we are teaching our children to conquer adversity in teams. Let’s set the stage! As adults, we have a powerful role with children. Let’s be kind and respectful to one another and model positive behaviors for our younger generations.

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2015 17

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Roots

Putting Down s ghw | in Times of Transition s ghw | FINANCIAL

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By Dr. Matt Brown

s ghw | F A M I LY With the beginning of a new school year rapidly approaching, many of us parents are | to CU L T U new R E clothes and scrambling purchase supplies for our children while attempting to enjoy |theW lastEbit L LofNsummer E S S vacation.

Let’s face it, back to school is a time of mixed emotions. On the one hand, we feel the loss of carefree, unstructured time while on the other, we yearn for structure and new beginnings. It is a time of transition.

None of us are strangers to transition.

In fact, it is often said that change is the only constant. As humans, we are incredibly resilient to adversity and change. Many of us will transition seamlessly into the new school year without missing a beat. But many of us will also struggle to know what to do as we watch our children enter a new phase – starting at a new school, struggling with new material, feeling socially isolated.

It breaks our hearts as parents when we see our kids struggle, even when we all know it is a necessary part of life. Times like these test our strength and require us to be deeply anchored. So, how do we ensure that we are providing our kids the opportunities to develop strong roots that will sustain them through difficulty? By developing and sharing a strong family narrative.

A family narrative is essentially a story that is developed over time as we share information about ourselves and our relatives. We talk about the good times, the bad times, and what we’ve gained from both. How is this helpful to our children?

Dr. Marshall Duke, a psychologist at Emory University, found that children who know more about their families were much more resilient and better able to handle stress.

He advises that parents should help their children develop a strong “intergenerational self ” — they should know about the struggles and triumphs of their ancestors.

And the most important theme that should emerge from these stories, according to Duke, is that the family experienced ups

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and downs and stuck together, no matter what.

How well do your kids know their family story? When was the last time you sat down to tell them about when they were born, where you and your parents grew up, or a challenging time that required everyone to pull together? How connected are they to generations that have preceded them, and how does that knowledge strengthen their confidence in their ability to face the world? I hope that we all find time amidst the chaos to sit with our children and pass on the great legacy of a strong family narrative.

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.

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Have All the Buyers Gone Back to School?

FINAN C IAL

By James Brockway In real estate, we speak of the “dead season” beginning after August, when school is back in session, and supposedly when buyers start to disappear. The theory is that people move when summer is approaching so that they can be settled in time for their kids to be at their new school and then they vanish until the next spring. What’s missing in this theory is that not all buyers have school-aged kids. A big segment of the buying population is empty-nesters, first time homebuyers, investors and others that either don’t have school-aged children or may not ever have children.

About the Author James Brockway, of Brockway Realty, has been representing home buyers and sellers throughout the Clear Lake and Houston area since 1992. He is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), and a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS).

The chart above indicates how many single family homes have sold month to month from August of 2014 through July of 2015 in Galveston County, according to the Houston Association of Realtors. While it’s true that the first few months of the year tallied low sales (264 and 324 sales respectively), the rest of the year trended much higher, with most months recording 400 sales or more each month. November dropped to 346 sales but December had almost as many sales as March, which is generally considered the kickoff month for the buying season. Also note that robust sales continue into September and October, well after the kids are back in school.

A large portion of the home buying market is first time homebuyers, who accounted for 33% of home sales in 2014, and while that is down from the historical 40% average, as reported by the National Association of Realtors, that’s still a significant portion of the home buying demographic and the majority of these buyers don’t have children yet. Coupled with the 39% of home buyers that are Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation, that for the most part have no children at home, this reflects a large percentage of home buyers that aren’t part of the “buying season,” dependent on finding a home in the spring so that the family is settled in time for school.

So what does this mean to you? Well, if you are thinking of holding off on selling your home until the traditional buying season, you may be missing out on qualified buyers that will look for a home regardless of the time of year. Don’t delay your listing just to time it for the most number of buyers in the market.

It’s no different than timing the stock market, and, in my opinion, timing such financial endeavors doesn’t always provide the highest yield.

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2015 19

The Art of Jewelry Making

By Saumil Manek From the minute we enter this world, life becomes a complex series of relationships. Our interactions and life experiences ebb and flow naturally, thus tightly weaving the essence of our being. These pivotal moments not only define us in the present, but act as a catalyst in the ultimate design of our future.

About the Author Building everlasting relationships requires consideration, procurement and the utmost personal investment.

While working as an The same application lends itself in choosing a precious gem or designing a one-of-a-kind, exquisite piece of investment banker, Saumil jewelry.

Manek took a trip to India and visited a diamond sorting Historically and culturally, gems and luxe adornments represent a gamut of intentions. Perhaps the most facility. Instantly falling important being a token of love. Whether it be a promise, gratitude or commitment, the act of giving is a deep in love with the diamond representation of your investment in an individual. business, he quit his job and The first step in creating your treasure is to hand select the center diamond or precious gems, once a budget started sorting diamonds, quickly moving up to jewelry has been established. Our established diamond graders individually inspect each stone per the GIA International designer. After spending two Diamond Grading System™. years learning the jewelry Next, the precious metal is decided upon. Will you choose gold, white gold, or platinum? Together the designer business, Saumil moved back to Houston and opened Xaver and buyer conceptualize and delineate the vision.

Jewels in 2001, where he Then, an auto CAD (computer aided design) image of the ring is formatted. During this stage, alterations and has since spent the last 14 perfections to the design are made. Once the final approval is made, creation progresses to the wax and casting years creating unique custom jewelry. process.

A wax milling machine or 3D printer creates the exact proportions of the design. This enables one to experience and feel the design for the first time. During casting, the finalized wax is baked into a mold. Molten metal is then poured into the mold and set to cool. The piece is then trimmed, cleaned and polished, ready for the final setting. The stone(s) are set, and the jewelry is yours to cherish infinitely.

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FINANCIAL

HAPPINESS

By Michael Olson, Ph.D. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I was trained to assess, diagnose and treat mental and emotional illnesses in individuals, as well as relational patterns/problems in couples and families. The standard reference for classifying diseases (nosology) is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V).1 This manual provides a standard system for naming and categorizing (nomenclature) mental and emotional illnesses.

Competence to make sense of complex physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms in a manner that can lead to successful treatment is of paramount importance in healthcare. There is, by necessity, a place for the deductive and circular reasoning that guides professionals in helping clients.

This approach, while critical to the formation of an accurate clinical picture, is insufficient. What do I miss when I only wear the glasses of pathogenesis and psychopathology? I may miss some of the key factors that can lead to health, wellness, and ultimately, happiness. The term “salutogenesis” is a term coined by Aaron Antonovsky, a professor of medical sociology. He used this term to describe an approach that focused on factors that support human health and well-being, rather than on factors that cause disease. He also argued against falsely dichotomizing or separating health from illness but rather thought of this as a continuum.2 Antonovsky pointed that more than just disease and illness need to be considered in our scientific approaches to help others. The pursuit of happiness is a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. An article published by Forbes revealed that Americans spent 11 billion dollars on self-improvement books, CDs, seminars, coaching, and stress management programs in 2008, alone, a 13.6% increase from 3 years previous. We are clearly looking for happiness in a lot of places, but is there a science to uncovering it? A branch of psychology, called “positive psychology,” is beginning to shed light on this question. In a “Psychology Today” post by Christopher Peterson, Ph.D., he states “positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living. It is a call for psychological science to be as concerned with strength as with weakness; as interested in building the best things in life as in repairing the worst; and as concerned with making the lives of normal people fulfilling as with healing pathology.”3 Positive psychology, he points out, is not to be confused with untested self-help, footless affirmation, or secular religion, no matter how good these make us feel. Peterson cites a few of the findings from positive psychology science, which include: 1. Most people are happy.

2. Happiness is a cause of good things in life and not simply along for the happy ride. People who are satisfied with life eventually have even more reasons to be satisfied.

3. Most people are resilient.

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4. Happiness, strengths of character, and good social relationships are | WELLNESS buffers against the damaging effects of disappointments and setbacks.

5. Crisis reveals character.

6. Other people matter mightily if About the Author we want to understand what makes Dr. Mike Olson is a licensed life most worth living. marriage and family therapist 7. Religion matters. in Texas. He graduated with his Master’s degree from 8. Work matters if it engages the Brigham Young University worker and provides meaning and and his Ph.D. from Kansas purpose.

State University. Following 9. Money makes an ever-diminishing graduate study, he completed a post-doctoral research contribution to well-being, but and clinical fellowship in money can “buy happiness” if it is Behavioral Medicine from the spent on other people.

UTMB, Galveston.

10. As a route to a satisfying life, eudaimonia (Greek origin, referring to a state of having a good indwelling spirit or being in a contented state of being healthy, happy and prosperous) trumps hedonism.

11. The “heart” matters more than the “head.” Schools explicitly teach critical thinking; they should also teach unconditional caring.

12. Good days have common features: feeling autonomous, competent, and connected to others.

13. The good life can be taught.

This last point speaks to the reality that one can learn to be happy and it is not simply, as Peterson put it, “the result of a fortunate spin of the genetic roulette wheel.” A physician colleague of mine often starts his conversations with his patients with a simple question, “What do you want your health for?” or “What gives your life meaning or purpose?” What a brilliant and simple way to change a focus in a system that often starts with “What seems to be the problem?” I’ve thought about practical ways to introduce this into my own life and family. An easy starting point for me was asking my children, “What was the best or most meaningful part of your day today?” This doesn’t mean we don’t talk about issues/problems that have come up and work to develop solutions for them; it just means I intentionally shift our focus to the good, the resourcefulness, the beauty, and the strength that lies within each of us and those around us.

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References: 1 http://www.psychiatry.org/practice/dsm.

2 Antonovsky, A. “Health, Stress and Coping” San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1979.

3 http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-good-life/200805/what-is-positive-psychology-and-whatis-it-not.

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2015 21

Photo by Khary Dixon Photography

Ramadan: A Month of Fasting and Prayer

By Waleed Basyouni

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Ramadan is a sacred month of spiritual growth and personal reflection. It is a blessed time of forgiveness, sacred prayers and patience. Every year during the month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic year, Muslims fast from dawn until sundown in faith and hope that previous sins will be forgiven. Fasting, or refraining from beverage, food and sexual relations, reminds Muslims of their everyday blessings and keeps out the many distractions of the world as they refocus their lives on their relationship with Allah (God). By voluntarily withholding from or fasting, they are reminded of the everyday blessings that might go unnoticed in their lives.

In Ramadan, the day begins with “suhoor” or a pre-dawn meal.

This is the last opportunity to gain nourishment before the fast begins at dawn. At the commencement of the Ramadan fast, called “iftar”, families will gather together at home, a friend’s house, or at their local mosque to break their fast together. It is Photo by Khary Dixon Photography very much a social event and a time to rekindle relationships with friends and kin. After the iftar, families will prepare for “taraweeh,” the special night prayers that are exclusive to Ramadan, and held in mosques everywhere throughout the world. It is a tradition that has existed since the time of the prophet Muhammad, where people gather in the mosque and listen to the Quran recited from cover to cover during the nights of Ramadan. Worshippers would then go home, if it was a weeknight, to sleep before starting the day all over again.

Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. These form the foundation of Muslim life.

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Basyouni is a graduate s ghwWaleed C UMuhammad LT U R E of|Al-Imam

University in Saudi Arabia where he earned a BA in Islamic Sciences W E Land L Master NES of Arts in Islamic Theology, World Religions and Modern Religious Sects. He also holds the Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the Graduate Theological Foundation, from which he was also awarded the Imam Malik Fellowship in 2008 for his doctoral work. Dr. Basyouni has also served as Imam and President of the Clear Lake Islamic Center in Houston.

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Photo by Khary Dixon Photography

5 Pillars of Islam 1. Faith: To believe in God’s exclusive right to be worshipped and that Muhammad is his final messenger.

2. Prayer: Prayer is done five times a day, as a way to remember God. 3. Charity: A percentage of accumulated wealth that is given to the poor. This is called “Zakah,” which means purification and increase. The prophet Muhammad was the most generous during the month of Ramadan and, similarly, Muslims are most charitable during Ramadan and, generally, give more than they would at any other time.

4. Fasting the month of Ramadan: Fasting throughout daylight hours for the entire duration of the month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.

5. Pilgrimage to Makkah: Visiting the sacred sites in Mecca and performing the rituals of Hajj. With estimates of 5-7 million pilgrims each year, this is the largest yearly congregation on Earth.

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Houston is said to have the largest number of Muslims in Texas, consisting of over 1.6% of the population, and with about 80 mosques and at least 10 Muslim schools. Many mosques in Houston are very involved in local community projects that go beyond the Muslim community; walks for breast cancer, community clean-up projects, food distribution, and many other social welfare programs directed at prisons, shelters and aiding the less fortunate.

Clear Lake Islamic Center (affectionately called CLIC by its members) has positioned itself as the modern mosque. Its image is quite Texan, from the brazen outline of the state of Texas on the side of the building to its imam Waleed Basyouni showing off his cowboy boots on his popular Facebook page, with over 200,000 followers. Part of being a modern mosque is to make the center as family friendly as possible. CLIC is no exception, with the expected traditional prayer place for the men and another for the women, lounges, a fish tank, a wall mural with the theme of the year, a gym and a playpen worthy of McDonalds.

Photo by Khary Dixon Photography.

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2015 23

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Can We Cure

Allergies?

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By Dr. Serge Gregoire

A man| inM hisI 50s came&to my office a few years ago complaining of year-round environmental allergies. He s ghw ND BO DY

had to take allergy medication every single day, otherwise he would suffer from allergy symptoms, which greatly impacted his quality of life. He had even been on allergy shoots for several years in order to keep the symptoms at | FtoAourMoffice I LYbecause the shots had suddenly stopped working and nothing was helping anymore. He bay. He came About the Author was very discouraged and frustrated. After examining his health history, we found out that he also had some gastroDr. Serge Gregoire is a clinical intestinal issues, bloating, | C Usuch L TasU R E gas, and constipation, alternating with diarrhea. nutritionist. He received his This is a typical scenario I see regularly in my office. More than 30% of adults and 40% of children suffer from doctorate degree from McGill allergies. The medical community is puzzled by the dramatic increase of the condition over the last decade. Allergies University in Canada. | They W Ecan L Lshow NE S about anywhere in your body and provide a variety of symptoms. They can affect He completed a 7-year are versatile. upSjust postdoctoral training at your nose, eyes, throat, lungs, stomach, skin and nervous system. They can give you a bellyache, a rash, and even bring Harvard Medical School, and on fatigue and headache. holds an advance certification In our experience, when major allergies, both food and/or environmental, are present and not handled, they are in Nutrition Response Testing often interfering with the body’s normal function, repair, and self-correcting mechanisms. Identifying the cause of the from Ulan Nutritional Systems in Florida. Dr. Serge allergies is the key to eliminating them. The great majority of the time, the underlying cause is either a dysfunction is a certified herbalist through of the gastro-intestinal tract or liver congestion. A variety of tests allow us to design a program that will handle the the Australian College of actual underlying cause of your allergies.

Phytotherapy.

However, in some cases, if we come to believe that your overall progress and improvement will be greatly limited (unless your body is desensitized to these allergies) we will advise you to utilize the technique called AACT (Accelerated Allergy Clearing Technique). As a matter of fact, the effective allergy clearing procedures we use routinely results in much reduced dependence on long term nutritional supplementation, along with improved health and a feeling of well-being. This approach is very unique, as it eliminates all kinds of allergies for life. AACT is a natural, drugless, painless, non-invasive method that can be used by people of all ages. It is based on the principles of acupuncture and the electromagnetic properties of matter.

In conclusion, if you are suffering from either airborne or food allergies, there is a hope for relief!

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Ta s t e

By Darlene Staheli

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What is it about our favorite food that makes it our favorite? Taste.

Our sense of taste is the reason we like or don’t like certain foods. We might enjoy textures and temperatures of food, but our sense of taste is the powerful force that drives us to eat certain foods and not others.

We each have approximately 9000 taste buds, and when triggered by food, they send signals to our brains as to whether a food is sweet, salty, sour, bitter or umami.

Sweet seems to be the most powerful of all the tastes. It’s my favorite! It makes ordinary foods extraordinary, but it is added to most prepackaged items in the form of processed sugar. If consumed too much, it can lead to health problems like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, weakened immune system, tooth decay, hyper activity, acne and more. For more information on the sweet stuff, I recommend the 2014 movie “Fed Up” with Katie Couric, which was recently released on Netflix.

Salt can make all the difference in the world for some dishes.

All of the other tastes can be enhanced with a little salt added. But too much salt can cause increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, fluid retention and damage to the kidneys.

Sour is the taste that reveals acidity. Think tart, tangy, and things that make your mouth pucker up; lemons, limes, cilantro, rhubarb, cherries, berries, vinegar, and fermented foods such as kimchi, miso, kombucha, and sauerkraut. Sour foods help us digest and absorb the nutrients we eat. Not too many of us over indulge on sour, but it can affect the enamel on our teeth. However, brushing teeth after a meal can take care of this.

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About the Author

Staheli is a board s ghwDarlene | CHolistic U LHealth TURE certified

Coach and a professionally trained Health Supportive Chef. Upon completing WE LLNES her Health Coach training program through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, (NYC) she received her board certification through the AADP. She furthered her education by enrolling in the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts. (Austin TX) While there, she was trained in Macrobiotic, Ayurvedic, Vegan, Vegetarian, Raw and Living foods. She completed her training by working with Rip Esselstyn and ‘Engine 2’.

She works with her husband, Jim Staheli, D.O., an Integrative and Functional medical doctor.

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Bitter is probably the most underused and misunderstood of all the tastes.

Bitter foods can be SO beneficial! They include most dark leafy greens; kale, collards, swiss chard, spinach, mustard and dandelion greens, and some of the bitter lettuces, like arugula, and radicchio.

These have an incredible domino effect in our bodies when eaten. Bitter foods send a message to the liver to wake up and start bile production, which aids in the digestive process by speeding up the metabolism. This helps us to avoid bloating and maintain regularity. Bitter foods also assist us with weight loss and have been linked to the reduction of many diseases, including cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity.* Umami is the taste I learned about in culinary school. It’s that delicious taste that comes from caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or a pot of rich, full-flavored pasta sauce. Umami is a result of foods that are made well and it brings complexity to a meal and delight to our tongues.

When we are eating a diet full of real, whole foods, our sweet and salt intake will be low because we’re able to enjoy the different flavors that are naturally in the foods we’re eating. We will also be getting a good balance of sour and bitter, and enjoying umami. However, if our diet is full of pre-packaged, convenient meals and/or frequent fast foods, our sugar and sodium levels will be much higher. Sweet and salty foods have a time and a place, but should be enjoyed minimally. I encourage my clients to focus on bitter and sour tastes as these, by far, have the most health benefits. The next time you’re making a meal, try to include more natural tastes for better health!

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*Dr. Andrew Weil MD “Why Bitter Is Better” April 2014 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/bitter-foods_b_5206909.html

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2015 25

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A Celebration of the Mediterranean Region

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Aging Gracefully = Let’s Get Moving!

By Carrie Ermshar Let’s face it, we are all growing older. With each birthday, we are given another year to celebrate. Yet, as the candles increase on the cake, it seems harder to blow them all out at once!

Society does not help the situation with our huge campaign of “fighting aging.” And, the truth is, our body certainly takes the brunt of aging, as does our mind. A lot of these effects are natural, and we are slowly learning to embrace the beauty of growing older, rather than fighting it. The baby boomers may be to thank for the gradual shift.

With the largest population known in history reaching age 65 and older, science and technology are providing phenomenal resources for everything from medicine to anti-aging products. There is a massive education focus and increase in quality living; 50 is truly fabulous, and 70 is suddenly not old, it’s the new 60!

However, the reality is, that for most of us to age gracefully, the same thing is required of us as is with almost anything else that we value in life: EFFORT. And focusing that effort into physical activity and mental stimulation will gain the most benefits. In short, get moving!

According to Colin Miller, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging, we now know that a lot of the problems previously thought to be related to aging aren’t related to aging at all, but rather to disuse of the body (WebMD). Years of sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles are ultimately what cause problems as we get older, not necessarily aging itself.

The good news is we are learning that there are ways to change the cycle. Research from The American Geriatric Society tells us that inactivity doubles the risk of mobility limitations as we age, while vigorous activity has the opposite effect. Exercise has also been proven to slow cognitive declines, keeping our minds sharper longer. The baby boomers are not letting this opportunity slip by them.

No longer are we in a world where turning 65 means settling into your favorite armchair.

Active senior living can be found almost anywhere and should certainly be pursued to assist in aging gracefully.

Examples are fairly simple: walking at least 30 minutes a day, gardening, golfing, eating fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, laughter, playing with grandchildren or volunteering at a local elementary school. The lessons we’ve been taught throughout our years of living healthy determine how we will age. So let’s get moving and make healthy choices!

About The Author Carrie Ermshar, MHA serves the field of aging services with experience in care management services, operations management, program development, and education. Carrie has 20 years executive leadership with long term care services, and passion for integrating healthy aging options within health care and local communities.

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2015 27

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Putting the “Independent” Back in Living

How Life Care Can Leave You Feeling Carefree

By Abe Zimmerman You deserve a little liberation. Say that to yourself a few times. You’ll like how it sounds. After years of home maintenance, school functions, budgeting for those unpredictable summer electric bills, and doing all the little things to make sure the landscaping looks just right, you deserve a little liberation. The good news is: It has arrived in League City!

The opening of The Crossings, a brandnew Life Care community, has brought the opportunity for the carefree life that you deserve right to your neck of the woods. If you’ve dreamed of a retirement that involves less home preservation and a little more freedom to choose your own adventure, Life Care might be just what you’ve been looking for.

On the other hand, if everything we’ve described sounds nice, but you aren’t sure about such a big life decision, it’s probably as good a time as any to look at the ups and downs of what moving to a senior living community will add to your life.

“I wish I’d done this years ago.” Talk with any senior living marketing director, and you’re bound to hear stories about how many times they’ve heard those words from residents who waited until a bit later in life to move to a community. You’ve probably said those words as well, for different reasons. Maybe you said them once you’d gotten married and had a family, or when you made the decision to start your own business or invest in a vacation home. The

point is, when we say we wish we’d done something years ago, what we’re really saying is that we’re satisfied. We’re happy.

And we’re not interested in going back to the way things were before.

When independent-minded seniors make up their minds to do a little independent living at a place like The Crossings, that’s almost always how they’ll tell you they feel. They’re happy and not going back. They’re not going back to maintaining a home, doing yardwork or worrying about shopping for groceries when the weather is bad. They’re not going back to the way things were, because the way things are is what they know they’ve wanted all along: fabulous dining options, a place to exercise or swim, maintenance-free living that leaves more time for joining a club, taking a class or painting a picture.

You’ve worked hard, planned ahead and done everything possible to prepare yourself for this moment. To learn more, call 1-866-835-2877 or visit mrcthecrossings.org.

About the Author Abe Zimmerman is the Marketing Director at The Crossings, open now on North Egret Bay Blvd. He can be reached at 866.835.2877 or azimmerman@mrcaff.org.

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2015 29

:: HEALTH Q&A Question:

As a mother of children who play contact sports, I am constantly worried about them getting a concussion. What is a concussion and how do I identify if they have one?

Answer:

by Dr. Khoshnejad (aka Dr. Mani) A concussion is a traumatic brain injury, that effects the way your brains works, usually caused by a sudden blow to the head, and can cause damage to the nerves and blood vessels of the brain.

What are the most common causes of concussions and how are they diagnosed?

Concussions most commonly occur in contact sports, in addition to any other incident involving the head. Today many trainers and coaches are able to use a computer based concussion test called IMPACT with their athletes to assess for injury. As a primary care physician, Dr. Mani recommends limiting all physical activities for at least 7 days post injury. “When in doubt, sit it out.”

What are signs and symptoms of a concussion?

Loss of consciousness Vomiting Confusion Clumsiness Slurred speech Balance problems Double Vision Headache Memory problems

What should parents do after the injury?

According to Dr. Mani, most concussions are minor with mild symptoms that can be treated with Tylenol. However, if a parent or coach suspects a concussion, it’s best to seek medical attention quickly. Parents should pay attention to behavioral changes, emotional irregularities, and changes in sleep patterns. If symptoms last more than 7 days, a neuro exam is recommended.

Dr. Khoshnejad, known as Dr. Mani, grew up in Baytown. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and completed his medical training and residency at San Jacinto Methodist, an affiliate of Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to his family medicine training, Dr. Mani pursued a fellowship in Obstetrics. His current scope of practice includes general medicine, as well as in office cosmetic procedures.

OOPS! In our last issue, the Q&A

HAVE A HAND PROBLEM? LET ME LEND YOU A HAND DR. ANDREW ZHANG MD Board Certified in Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery Trained at World-Renowned Stanford University Years of Experience Offices in League City and Galveston

For appointments call 832-505-1800

30 www.txhwmagazines.com

about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome was answered by Dr. Zhang. We forgot to tell you a little bit about him.

Dr. Zhang is double board-certified in plastic surgery and hand surgery.

He received his surgical training from Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UTMB with offices in Victory Lakes and Galveston.

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!

A GREAT

GATSBY AFFAIR

Pearland Chamber of Commerce

Party on the Patio: An appreciation event for our members.

Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2015 31

32 www.txhwmagazines.com