JULY IP MAGAZINE: TUCKER DUDLEY WITH TRINA GRIFFITH REAL ESTATE COMPANY ON THE COVER by infinitieplus magazine

infinitieplus JULY 2019

Tucker Dudley The

Reinvention Champ From College Grad Wife Mother Coach Teacher Administrator Marketing Guru To Real Estate Prodigy

VOL. 9 NO. 7 Longview BUSINESS MAGAZINE

New Aspirin Guidelines Casa Thanks Everyone plus

Open Floor Concepts Brain Health Habits and

July 4th Tips Alleviate Stress plus

3 Important Words Improve Memory Best Burgers

table of contents

infinitieplus

Longview BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Cover Story COVER STORY

She slipped easily into her real estate career. Helping clients in such a monumental move as selecting a home is terribly fulfilling for her. Like her earlier jobs, it involves helping others, and this comes naturally to her. Younger sister Trina Griffith is her broker. She rises daily eagerly anticipating helping a client she has recently met, or with meeting somebody new who needs help in finding a dream home. Tucker loves showing property, searching for property, and doing the required paperwork for each sale or purchase.

Tucker Dudley

Bundles Bundles Bundlesof of ofjoy. joy. joy. It’s It’s It’swhat what whatwe we wedeliver. deliver. deliver.

benefits to open concept floor plans

social limelight dionne lott teams up with ip mag

the new aspirin guidelines and media disservice to patients

From From From the the the day day day you you you find find find out out out totothe tothe the day day day you you you deliver, deliver, deliver, there’s there’s there’s nothing nothing nothing more more more important important important totoLongview toLongview Longview Regional Regional Regional Medical Medical Medical Center Center Center than than than your your your and and and your your your baby’s baby’s baby’s health health health and and and well-being. well-being. well-being. This This This isiswhy iswhy why we we we provide provide provide extra extra extra amenities amenities amenities such such such asasprivate asprivate private rooms, rooms, rooms, spacious spacious spacious birthing birthing birthing suites, suites, suites, childbirth childbirth childbirth classes classes classes and and and breastfeeding breastfeeding breastfeeding support. support. support. And And And if ifyou ifyou you and and and your your your newest newest newest addition addition addition need need need a alittle little a little extra extra extra help, help, help, we we we offer offer offer perinatal perinatal perinatal services services services that that that include include include maternal-fetal maternal-fetal maternal-fetal medicine medicine medicine specialists specialists specialists and and and a aLevel aLevel Level IIIIIINICU. IIINICU. NICU. For For For more more more information information information about about about our our our labor labor labor and and and delivery delivery delivery services, services, services, visit visit visit LongviewRegional.com/baby. LongviewRegional.com/baby. LongviewRegional.com/baby.

how to beat father time improve your memory checklist

5 effective ways to alleviate

stress from exercises to support network

3 words to change your life

not the ones you are thinking

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editor’s note

THANK YOU

Publisher / Editor

Joycelyne Fadojutimi

Marketing / PR

Dionne Whaley-Lott

Photography

Joycelyne Fadojutimi

Graphic Designer

Special thanks to our dancers, judges and hosts:

Sho Labaco

Contributing Writers

Kimberly Fish Olubadewa A. Fatunde MD, MPH. SUSAN DEITZ

Submission Deadline

The first of every month prior to month of issue. infinitieplus magazine is not responsible for any discrepancies or changes since the publishing of this issue. At the time of publication, to the best of our knowledge, all information was accurate though not guaranteed.

FOR PUBLICITY AND ADVERTISING CONTACT Dionne Whaley-Lott dionne@iplusmag.com

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ow, it is already July, the 7th month of the year. The holidays are fast approaching. Okay let us not think of the holidays yet even though they will soon be here. In this edition of ip magazine, our cover story is about an industrious lovely woman who knows how to reinvent herself and love every bit of it. We can actually learn from her that change of career is good. She has done it and loved all her career changes. Read Tucker Dudley’s story from page 6. There are many reasons why the open concept floor plans are in vogue. Maybe you like to entertain guests, or spaciousness and ease of movement in the home. Check out the reasons why this concept is popular. The story is from page 12. Please join us in making Dionne Lott very welcome to infinitieplus magazine. Dionne’s company Social Limelight and ip magazine has teamed up to bring you the best of Longview. Dionne’s information is on page 5 and 14. There is more. Low dose Aspirin has been touted for its many benefits. However, some Media headlines instead of setting the record straight are doing disservice to patients. Get the facts you need for you or your loved ones about Aspirin. The story is from page 18. But that is not all. How about brain health? Everyone by now knows someone who has dementia or Alzheimer’s. This is the reason why, we brought you, our readers pertinent information brain health. They can be found from page 22 and 24. STRESS! Who does not know what stress is? There are ways to control and even alleviate stress. Check out this information on page 28. We kept the best for last. Do not miss reading Kimberly Fish’s inspiration piece on page 29. She dubbed it: “Three words to change your life and they are not the ones you are thinking.” Hopefully, you will read it and apply those words she is talking about. Thanks for reading ip mag. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to serve you. We look forward to serving you again in August by His grace.

VOLUME 9 | ISSUE 7 The entire contents of infinitieplus magazine are copyrighted 2019. Any reproduction or use in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. infinitieplus reserves the right to edit and make appropriate modifications. The opinions published by contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the views of infinitieplus or its advertisers. www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

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COVER STORY

Meet Tucker Dudley: The Reinvention Champ

From College Grad, Wife, Mother, Coach, Teacher, Administrator, Marketing Guru, to Real Estate Prodigy

B y J oy c elyne F a dojutimi

lthough Tucker Dudley's careers have been a timeconsuming, delightful aspect of her life, she considers her greatest accomplishment her 34-year marriage to Maurice “Mo” Dudley. He and their daughter Brett have been her greatest supporters as she has kept herself busy and productive through the decades. For her, they are "my most attentive supporters in all my endeavors." She and Mo met here in Longview by chance when a mutual friend introduced them. She describes it as love at first sight despite some differences. He is eight years younger, and a transplanted Maine Yankee now married to a Native Texan of long lineage. Their courtship lasted just four months before they stepped up to the altar, and there were those who were, in fact, surprised this pairing of opposites lasted. Like her parents, Brett loves people, believes in the philosophy of "never quit," and is very adept and successful in her own chosen fields. Tucker Dudley

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By matriculating at Louisiana State University, she converted her parents into ardent LSU Tiger fans. While at Baton Rouge, she met her own soul mate and has been his wife for 13 years. Being in a mutually supportive family is something she learned from her mother. "I was raised in a loving environment in Elysian Fields," Tucker says. "everybody knew everybody else and kept an eye on all of us. The phrase 'It takes a community to raise a child' had to have originated in Elysian Fields.'" Tucker’s parents were deeply in love and infected their three daughters with this powerful bond. The girls were spaced widely. The oldest, Scherry is eight years older, and younger sister Trina is almost nine years her junior. In essence, these sisters were all only children with the same parents. Her mother and sisters were their high school graduating class's valedictorians. Tucker, however, mixed her studies with tireless extracurricular activities, and did very well in both areas. "I was a cheerleader, played trumpet in the band, played varsity basketball and tennis," she says. "I loved sports. My mother was an incredible athlete and pushed us all to play and play well." These sisters learned the family lesson that being a quitter, be it in education, sports or careers, is utterly unacceptable. To this day, she never contemplates doing anything halfway of in a desultory fashion. She throws herself 100% into whatever she does and completes the tasks to the absolute best of her ability. This includes her spiritual life. "I don't remember feeling that I was being forced to attend church. It was an important part of my life that I loved, and still do today," she says. "I feel that I grew up in the very best place, surrounded by the most wonderful people in the world." She and her sisters still strive to live up to their parents' lofty examples on how to be a blessing to everyone in their lives. She describes her mother as "beautiful, strong and very smart." She stayed at home, dedicating herself to raising her daughters while her husband worked in the oil fields. They were not a family with a lot of money, www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

but they were rich in other ways. "In our sweet little town, we had no idea that we were very nearly poor," she says. Education was a key route to success, and her parents made sure they were able to send her to college. After graduating from Elysian Fields High School, she enrolled first at Panola Junior College, Southwest Texas State (now called simply Texas State) and as a junior at Stephen F. Austin State University and pulled down a bachelor’s degree in her double majors of history and physical education. She also took a master’s degree in secondary education and did not stop there. Her next accomplishment was earning a Master’s in school administration and a certification to be a school superintendent. Stephen F. Austin is known for training excellent educators. It was also only a ninety-minute drive from her hometown. She was a working student, putting in so many hours in jobs that she had no student debt when she graduated. The rewards of hard work are something she absorbed from her industrious parents, and as soon as she graduated, she was out on her own.

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COVER STORY

COVER STORY school supplies and educational furniture firms in the country. During her five years with this firm, she won such recognitions as Rookie of the Year, Million Dollar Club Member, and regional Top Salesperson. This job was a labor of love and led to her being sought out by Lone Star Furnishings, a top educational furnishings company. "I took the job and worked there for six years in which time the company grew into a powerhouse," she says. This chapter of her life saw her spend eleven years totally furnishing Hallsville High School, Spring Hill High School, some new elementary schools in the Longview ISD, and other schools throughout East Texas. Following this latest vocational journey...she retired. It did not last. "I was retired and hated it! Yep, it was time for another re-invention," she says. "I woke up one morning, turned to my husband and said I was going to school and get my real estate license, and I did." This she loved. She slipped easily into her real estate career. Helping clients in such a monumental move as selecting a home is terribly fulfilling for her. Like her earlier jobs, it involves helping others, and this comes naturally to her. Younger sister Trina Griffith is her broker. "She is by a long shot the best boss I have ever had," she says. "She had suggested years ago that I do this, and I can't imagine why I waited so long." Trina gave her an essentials bag with the lettering, "She believed she could, so she did." She adopted this motto to define her life philosophy. It perfectly describes her family's ingrained attitude. The Trina Griffith and Company firm of Longview, Texas employs 15 unselfish employees who make their caring inclination a part of their job. The firm's high moral character shows through as its employees

"In those days nobody moved home after college," she says. "We just understood that we had been given a great opportunity, and when we graduated, we got a job and supported ourselves." Tucker spent 30 years working in education before dedicating the next 13 to sales. Two years ago, she began her latest vocation as a realtor when she took a position with Trina Griffith and Company. Her college studies in history and physical education were a blessing during her time as an educator, working as a physical education teacher and coach. She coached basketball, track, volleyball and tennis, and had no favorite--she loved them all. She also adored her students and athletes. She spent 13 years coaching basketball, volleyball and track in the Carthage, Henderson and Pine Tree Independent School Districts, and managed to accomplish this despite having a baby. Still, her time with a whistle around her neck had to end. "After my 13 years of coaching, my daughter was almost six years old," she says. "I remember the first day I was able to pick her up from school and go home with her she said, 'Are you really going home with me? Don't you have to practice?' It was time to spend more time with my daughter and be a better wife." She shifted her faculty duties from the playing court and field to the classroom, becoming an American History teacher at Pine Tree Junior High. After two years, she won the position of history lead teacher, coordinating all history activities and tutoring novice history teachers. She performed this role flawlessly for seven years, and then moved into administration. She worked as an assistant principal and principal at the junior high, middle school and primary school levels. She spent her final two years as an educator as principal of Tyler's Hubbard Middle School. She even made time to serve two years as Region 7 field service agent, working as liaison between public schools and the Texas Education Agency. This ended her time in education. It was time to "re-invent." Tucker went to work as an educational furnishing salesperson for School Specialty, one of the major

make every effort to earn a good living by helping others...buying and selling property in such a way that everyone involved comes out ahead. The term "real estate" refers not only to land and the structures on it, but the ground beneath it and the sky above. Some say "real" comes from the Latin word "Rex" meaning royal or king, and this is because kings owned all the land in their kingdoms. America's Constitution originally permitted the vote solely to those owning real estate. Although this aspect has long since vanished, real estate remains the quintessential asset, never losing its value and needed by all. Although Tucker has only recently commenced her foray into this field, she has already proved herself. "I have enjoyed success already and was awarded as one of the "Rookies of the Year" in our company after my first full year due to the fact that I became a multi-million-dollar producer," she says. "I love it and hope to continue this career for a long time to come." She rises daily eagerly anticipating helping a client she has recently met, or with meeting somebody new who needs help in finding a dream home. She loves showing property, searching for property, and doing the required paperwork for each sale or purchase. "I can hardly believe I'm getting paid for doing something I love so much," she says. Despite being almost nine years younger, Trina has been an ideal role model for her big sister's new vocation. The two have always been awfully close, and now savor working together. This is in keeping with her past job history. All her professions have come together to give her a delightful sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that transcends financial gain. "Education, although not a high-paying job, was a very rewarding career that I wouldn't trade for anything," Tucker says.

Tucker Dudley

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Congratulations Congratulations to the the 2018 2018 Stars Stars Over Over Longview Longview COVER STORY to Shalonda Adams Adams Shalonda

Whether it be Lori Holyfield Ball Lori Holyfield Ball searching for just Crista Black Crista Black the Sharon right Bradley piece of Sharon Bradley Mary property,Collier showing Mary Collier Carmela Davis property, or doing Gerrie Forbis Carmela Davis the very necessary Carol Manley Gerrie Forbis paperwork that is Dawn Martin Carol Manley required for each Pamela Mercer-McWilliams Dawn Martin Morris sale Mary or purchase, Pamela Mercer-McWilliams Woods I loveJulie this job." Mary Morris

Celebrating 18 Years - Tucker Dudley, Realtor, Julie Woods Trina Griffith & Company

We are known for Stone, but we do much more!

Tucker Dudley

Thursday, January 11, 2018

"Shaping and molding young mindsYears and bodies is no group that essentially started this church that has Celebrating 18 Speaker: Jackie Joyner-Kersey doubt one of the most important jobs in the world." grown to between 120 and 175 active members.

Being Doors in sales Open introduced her to a.m. many wonderful Most of her community involvement activities at 11:30 people who became lifelong friends. The things she are church-related. She has served as a Sunday Ceremony and Luncheon begin at noon sold greatly enriched many lives. Again, she points School teacher, been a member of Women of the Maude Cobb Activity Center to her father's motto, "Others, Lord yes others. Let Church, directed Bible Studies, helped in Bible Blvd. this my 100 mottoGrand be." Her faith•isLongview indeed her guiding Schools, supported such initiatives as the Highway light and anchor. valet "My faith is inwill JesusbeChrist. I don't 80 Rescue Mission, Heartisans, and the Samaritan Complimentary parking Doors Open at 11:30 a.m.available. really like any label concerning religion besides that House in Tatum. She also is a former member of of Christian,"and she says. "I thankbegin God every day that I Zonta. Now that she is again living in Longview, Ceremony Luncheon at noon was raised by Christian parents and family members she hopes to become involved in yet more areas of Maude Cobb Activity Center Individual Tickets $30.00 • $240 for Table of 8 who served their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." the community. Tickets willGrand available purchase beginning Blvd. • Longview She100 has nobememory of for ever not believing. "Longview has come a long way during the 18 November 1, 2017. To purchase, call Longview Regional She and husband Mo attend The Church at Lake years my husband and I lived at Lake Cherokee," Complimentary valet parking willtheir be at available. Medical Center’s 903-553-7400.Tucker says. "I want to be a part of it now that my Cherokee. It isMarketing where theyDepartment raised daughter. Most of this non-denominational congregation's husband and I have moved [back] into town." Speaker: members are former parishioners of denominational For the city of Longview this will be a Jackie Joyner-Kersey houses of worship. She and Mo were part of a small true blessing. Olympian & Greatest Female Athlete

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Speaker: Jackie Joyner-Kersey Ticket Information

Ticket Information

Individual Tickets $30.00 • $240 for Table of 8 of the 20th Century Tickets will be available for purchase beginning www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine 10 1, 2017. To purchase, November call Longview Regional | www.iplusmag.com | infinitieplus | july 2019 For additional information on this event visit LongviewRegional.com. Medical Center’s Marketing Department at 903-553-7400.

Congratulations to the 2018 Stars Over Longview

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Business and Finance

Benefits to open concept floor plans

he way a home is designed can say a lot of things about it. In fact, many real estate professionals and contractors can determine when a home was built based on the design of its interior. For example, homes with sunken living rooms were likely built sometime in the 1960s and 1970s. Open concept living rooms are one trend that might one day make people nostalgic for the early 21st century. Many of today’s home buyers want homes with open concept floor plans, which can give homes a more spacious feel, perhaps even creating the illusion that a home is bigger than it really is. Home buyers who have never before enjoyed open concept floor plans can consider these benefits to these wildly popular layouts.

walls dividing common areas. This can make gatherings feel less cramped than in homes with more traditional floor plans.

homeowners more flexibility. For example, homes with more traditional floor plans may have designated spaces for dining areas. These spaces don’t leave much room to work with and may not be valued by homeowners who don’t often host dinners at home. As a result, such rooms may just be wasted square footage. With an open concept floor plan, homeowners have the flexibility to make dining areas as big or small as they see fit and can even adjust the rooms on the fly on those occasions when people are coming over.

SAFETY The safety of open concept floor plans may be most applicable to parents of young children. Open concept floor plans allow parents to keep an eye on their children while cooking dinner, working from home or tending to other chores around the house. Since there are no walls to divide rooms in open concept homes, parents don’t have to wonder what their curious kids are up to because they can see them at all times.

ENTERTAINMENT Many people who live in homes with open concept floor plans cite their convenience when entertaining as one of their biggest assets. In an open concept home, guests don’t have to be corralled into a single room in the home. Instead, hosts and their guests can roam freely from room to room because there are no

Open concept floor plans continue to be popular among home buyers and might prove to be the most lasting home design trend of the early 21st century.

FLEXIBILITY Open concept floor plans give

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Business and Finance

Dionne Lott

Social Limelight teams up with infinitieplus magazine

riginally from the panhandle of Texas, Dionne Lott moved to East Texas in December of 2002 and now considers it home. Dionne has worked in publica relations and marketing for over 15 years. She owns a marketing consulting business, Social Limelite. While she focuses primarily on Social Media marketing, her main objective is to work with business owners to find their company ‘personality’, identify their goals and streamline their marketing to achieve those targets. Dionne loves Longview and believes in giving back to her community. Over the years, she has served on numerous boards and volunteered with multiple community service efforts. She has two very active children (Karson – 15, Keller – 13) and considers being their mom one of her greatest achievements. In her spare time, Dionne enjoys laughing, singing karaoke, drinking coffee and wine. Please join infinitieplus magazine in welcoming Dionne as we team up to serve Longview. She can be reached at 903-475-2582 or dionne@iplusmag.com

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BODY SOUL AND SPIRIT

The new aspirin guidelines:

The media does a disservice to patients By

O lu b a de w a A . F a tunde , M D , M P H .

uch media attention has been paid to the new guidelines from American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/ AHA) on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Based on new clinical trial data, ACC/AHA no longer recommends that healthy adults without cardiovascular disease — emphasis on without cardiovascular disease — take daily aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. This change, while significant, is highly nuanced and dependent on a clear understanding of the difference between primary prevention and secondary prevention. Primary prevention is the sum of efforts to prevent an event that an individual has never had in the past. An example of primary prevention is administration of vaccines, which help protect against contracting a disease in the first place. Secondary prevention involves reducing the impact of current diseases and seeking to prevent future recurrences of events that have already occurred. Quitting smoking after being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and completing cardiac rehabilitation after having a heart attack represent common examples of secondary prevention. The new ACC/AHA guidelines address the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in individuals currently without cardiovascular disease.

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For decades, the prevailing notion was that a low-dose aspirin may prevent cardiovascular disease before it begins. However, recent large randomized trials have shown this perceived benefit to be negligible while increasing the risk of a serious bleeding event. This was true even in individuals with diabetes who have an inherently higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Based on this new evidence, low-dose aspirin is no longer recommended for primary prevention in individuals at low risk for cardiovascular disease, adults older than age 70, or individuals at increased risk of bleeding. Let’s take an 80-year old woman who lives independently and has no health problems aside from osteoarthritis. She does not have cardiovascular disease. Should she be using aspirin? This is the primary population affected by the new guidelines. Given the results of both trials, aspirin is unlikely to prevent her from having a future heart attack or stroke. In fact, aspirin may increase her risk of future bleeding. For individuals between ages 40 and 70 with a higher cardiovascular risk profile (family history of premature myocardial infarction, inability to achieve lipid/blood pressure/glucose targets, or elevated coronary artery calcium score), patients and their providers should have an informed discussion about the risks and benefits prior to making a shared decision about whether to initiate low-dose aspirin for primary prevention. Fortunately, health care providers have additional objective data to help guide their

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decision-making process, such as the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk score, with scores greater than 10% suggesting the benefits of aspirin for primary prevention begin to outweigh the risks. In short, the new guidelines mean that aspirin is no longer recommended for those without cardiovascular disease. This change affects millions of people. However, these recommendations do not apply to an estimated 121 million individuals — nearly 48 percent of the population — that already have cardiovascular disease (including stroke), where the benefits of aspirin are wellestablished.

The media effect. You would not know this from reading the headlines, many of which are misleading for patients. Headlines such as “Daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks no longer recommended for older adults” and “Don’t take an aspirin a day to prevent heart attacks and strokes” suggest that patients should stop taking aspirin. These types of headlines are misleading, if not downright false, for millions of people who should continue to take aspirin as directed. Some outlets did better than others — with headlines such as “Daily lowdose aspirin no longer recommended by doctors, if you’re healthy,” — by at least suggesting the recommendations only applied to some people. Why should these headlines give us pause? Because context and responsible messaging matters.

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BODY SOUL AND SPIRIT Research from the fields of neuroscience and cognitive psychology is instructive. Predictive coding, for instance, suggests that the brain actively predicts what input it will receive, rather than just passively processing information as it arrives. In other words, the first few words of a sentence can bias a person’s view of what comes next. Similar studies have shown that the brain fills in the blanks, creating illusions based on context and previous memories to create a picture with incomplete or partial information, based on our prior experiences, memories, and knowledge base. One fascinating example of this is “typoglycemia,” a phenomenon that explains why our brains are able to read and comprehend sentences full of typographical errors. Because the brain tends to “fill in gaps,” omitting key information from a headline or placing the most important information at the end of a headline makes it vulnerable to being hijacked by a reader’s brain. This is exacerbated by the fact that many readers do not read beyond the title of an article, with most scrolling through only about half of an article.

The impact. These headlines are already having an

effect. Dr. Siddharth Sehgal, a vascular neurologist at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, recently counseled a patient about treatment for her ischemic stroke, including the need to take aspirin on a daily basis. Her response? “But doc! I just read on the news that aspirin is no longer recommended to prevent heart attack and stroke.” Dr. Sehgal then spent time addressing her confusion and clarifying that there is strong evidence for the use of aspirin for secondary stroke prophylaxis. The patient understood and confirmed that she would take the aspirin as recommended. Dr. Sehgal and his patient had a happy outcome. But the media does a disservice to patients by overly reducing nuanced, complex studies and guidelines to too-easily digested soundbites. At the same time, physicians must step up to demystify changes and ensure that patients and their families truly understand the best-known evidence. Working together, researchers, physicians, and (social and traditional) media outlets can each do our part to advance patient understanding and improve health outcomes. Olubadewa A. Fatunde is an internal medicine resident.

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Enjoy a safe and happy Independence Day

The media does a disservice to patients by overly reducing nuanced, complex studies and guidelines to too-easily digested soundbites. Physicians must step up to demystify changes and ensure that patients and their families truly understand the best-known evidence."

ndependence Day is a celebration of the United States of America. The holiday is marked by fanfare, large parties, complete with barbecues, fireworks and parades. In order to remain safe, individuals can heed these tips. Do not drink and drive. Alcohol consumption may accompany Independence Day festivities. For those planning on using a car to get to and from parties, it is essential to designate a driver who will not imbibe. Otherwise, utilize any number of ridesharing services or available taxis. Leave fireworks to the professionals. Watch public fireworks display instead of lighting fireworks on the street or in the backyard. Exercise caution with sparklers. Kids running around with sparklers in hand could

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- Olubadewa A. Fatunde, MD, MPH.

be a recipe for disaster, as sparklers burn extremely hot. Make sure children do not wave them around or others can get burned. Keep a bucket of water handy to properly extinguish the sparklers. Check in with a vet. The Fourth of July can be traumatic for pets not accustomed to fireworks and other loud noises or crowds. Watch food temperatures. Do not leave food out in the hot sun for too long; otherwise, harmful bacteria can grow and potentially cause foodborne illnesses. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says to never leave food out of refrigeration for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90 F, food should not be left out for more than one hour. These are some of the safety strategies that can keep Independence Day celebrations both safe and enjoyable.

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Body mind and soul

Body mind AND soul

How to improve memory Father Time may be a formidable foe, but people can take steps to give their memories a boost as they get older.

orgetfulness can affect anyone. For example, few, if any, adults can say they have not experienced moments when they could not find their keys. And once the keys are found, people move on without giving much thought to why they did not immediately remember where they left their keys. Isolated incidents where people cannot recall where they placed their car keys or other minor bouts with forgetfulness do not occur by accident. In fact, the Harvard Medical School notes that they are likely byproducts of age-related changes in thinking skills. When people reach their 50s, chemical and structural changes in the brain may begin to occur, and these changes can affect a person’s ability to process memories. Father Time may be a formidable foe, but people can take steps to give their memories a boost as they get older. Embrace recognition instead of trusting recall. Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist who specializes in behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital,

memory and thinking skills. Authored by Andrew Smyth of McMaster University in Ontario and the National University of Ireland in Galway, the study following more than 27,000 people in 40 countries for an average of roughly five years. All participants were 55 and older and had diabetes or a history of heart disease, stroke or peripheral artery disease. Those who ate the healthiest diets were 24 percent less likely to experience cognitive decline than people with the least healthy diets.

notes that human beings are better at recognition than recall. That means people are more likely to remember something they read, such as a note or a list, than something they’re simply told. Recognize the value of repetition. The Harvard Medical School notes that people might be more inclined to remember what they hear if they repeat it out loud. Names and addresses might be more easily remembered after they’re repeated out loud because repetition increases the likelihood that the brain will record the information and be capable of retrieving it later. When studying for exams, many students repeat important points to themselves time and again, and that same approach can be applied by adults who are trying to improve their memories.

Break things down. Breaking things down into small chunks also can help improve memory. If tasked with remembering something extensive, such as a speech, focus on a single sentence at a time, only moving on to the next sentence when you’re confident you have successfully committed the preceding sentence to memory. Periodic memory lapses are often nothing to worry about. But men and women concerned about maintaining their memories can employ various strategies to do just that.

Eat a healthy diet. A study published in 2015 in the journal Neurology found that people who eat healthy diets with lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish and little alcohol and red meat may be less likely to experience declines in their

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spirit SOUL AND body

Brain-healthy habits to embrace

ognitive decline is a condition that is often associated with aging, but even middle-aged people can experience memory loss or cognition issues. The Alzheimerﾃ不 Association says that more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimerﾃ不 disease and other dementias. By 2050, that number could rise to as high as 16 million people. More than 747,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer's or another dementia, says the Canadian Alzheimerﾃ不 Association. Although there is no definitive way to prevent dementia, living a long, vibrant life may be possible

by encouraging some healthy habits for the brain. It is never too late or too early to begin health and lifestyle changes. Exercise Becoming more active can improve brain volume, reduce risk for dementia and improve thinking and memory skills. The journal Neurology found that older people who vigorously exercise performed better on cognitive tests than others of the same age, placing them at the equivalent of 10 years younger. Increased blood flow that occurs with physical activity may help generate new neurons in

the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved with learning and memory. The Harvard Medical School says aerobic exercise may help improve brain tissue by improving blood flow and reducing the chances of injury to the brain from cholesterol buildup in blood vessels. Quit smoking The Alzheimerﾃ不 Association indicates that evidence shows smoking increases the risk of cognitive decline. Smoking can impair blood flow to the brain and cause small strokes that may damage blood vessels. Eat healthy foods Foods that are good for the heart and blood vessels also are good for the brain. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish-based proteins, unsaturated fats, and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. Neurologists state that, while research on diet and cognitive function is limited, diets, such as Mediterranean and MediterraneanDASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may contribute to a lower risk of cognitive issues. Consume caffeine Caffeine may help boost memory performance and brain health. A Journal of Nutrition study found people ages 70 and older who consumed more caffeine scored better on tests of mental function than those who consumed less caffeine. Caffeine may help improve attention span, cognitive function and feelings of well-being. Information from Psychology Today also indicates caffeine may help in the storage of dopamine, which can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. In addition, compounds in cocoa and coffee beans may improve vascular health and help repair cellular damage due to high antioxidant levels. Work the brain Engaging in mentally stimulating activities can create new brain connections and more backup circuits, states Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. Working the brain through puzzles, reading and

Seniors can include healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise and balanced eating, to reduce the risk of dementia and other neurological issues.

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participating in social situations can stimulate the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule essential for repairing brain cells and creating connections between them. A good way to combine these lifestyle factors is to take an exercise class with friends, mixing the social, stimulation and exercise recommendations together. Cognitive decline can come with aging, but through healthy habits, people can reduce their risk of memory loss and dementia.

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903-663-3344 903-663-3344 Jasonstoneworks.com Jasonstoneworks.com

spirit SOUL AND body

INSPIRATIONAL

5 effective ways to alleviate stress

tress affects everyone at some point in their lives and does not discriminate based on gender, nationality, ethnicity, economic status, or age. The American Institute of Stress says job-related stress costs businesses millions of dollars each year due to unanticipated absences. In fact, work is the foremost source of stress for many adults. Although not all stress is bad and stress responses can motivate people to perform more effectively, repeated stress is a problem. The National Institute of Mental Health says routine stress that becomes chronic can suppress immune system functions, disrupt digestion, adversely affect sleep, and cause abnormal changes in reproductive systems. People who have chronic stress are often prone to frequent and severe viral infections, like colds and the flu. Repetitive stress may be the most difficult to recognize because it often becomes a part of daily life. Managing stress and anxiety involves finding techniques that work for each individual. While not every approach works for everyone, the following are five effective means to managing stress. 1. Exercise: The American Psychological Association says research continues to confirm the benefits of exercise in regard to combatting stress. Regular exercise has long-term benefits, but even a 20-minute

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exercise session during a stressful time can produce an immediate effect that lasts a few hours. 2. Deep breathing: Mindful breathing can be effective and only takes 10 minutes. Men and women battling stress can sit in a comfortable position with their eyes closed and imagine themselves in a relaxing place while slowly breathing in and out. 3. Take a break: Removing oneself from a stressful situation for a little while can be helpful. A brief break of 15 to 20 minutes can provide a sense of calm. 4. Cognitive-behavioral therapy: Harvard Medical School defines cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, as a process of changing unhealthy thinking in order to change emotions. Therapists will identify negative thinking patterns and help patients learn to automatically replace them with healthy or positive thoughts. 5. Support network: Simply having someone to talk to can help tame stress. People should surround themselves with others they trust who are good listeners. These can be friends, family members or professional therapists. Talking oneself through stressful situations can provide relief. Stress is a growing problem that can adversely affect one's health in various ways. Relieving stress involves identifying the stressor and taking a proactive approach before symptoms of stress worsen. |

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The Three Words to Change Your Life — And They’re Not The Ones You’re Thinking B y K im b e r ly F ish

f you check your pocket or purse, you’ll see you have a lot of keys. Those keys unlock doors important to comfort, safety, and prosperity. But the keys that unlock our relationships are much smaller, more easily assessed, and work magic. When you were little, maybe your mother—like mine— had a mantra that Please and Thank You were magic words. That was an important social lesson to learn because it was a grace they trained us to speak so we would recognize those to whom we ask something of, involve someone with, or require something from; that we should treat others with a little common courtesy. Remember the exercise they taught you to say— “please” before asking for a dessert or “thank you” for that gift at Christmas? If you’ve been at home with children, spouses, or parents you know how quickly those words, and common courtesies, gets ditched. The scarcity of those verbal kindnesses would imply that we’ve forgotten words that soften our demands. That we take for granted that the people we’re dealing with will automatically respond without us acknowledging their effort. Or

we’ve become too lazy to think we need to show kindness to those we bump against day in and day out. My experience has been that the words Please and Thank You are like a grease you would apply to a sticking wheel. A breeze that eases you into an ask, or allows you to praise someone for the ordinary or extraordinary effort they did on your behalf. As

Author and Speaker Kimberly Fish

grumpy as customers, employers, and spouses can be wouldn’t you agree that adding a dash of verbal kindness might change the outcomes of the people you’re communicating with? At the least, making eye contact with someone and saying Please

or Thank You might generate a startled surprise. In a day where we’ve shortened our communications to text messages and tweets, adding a few more words to our posts might soften the reactions of those on the other end. Taking the time out of our busyness to think before we speak might help us too. It takes the attention off our own needs for a second and recognizes that we’re involving a second person—or a group—in a situation that adds to their workload. Thinking of others is at the root of courtesy. It’s like a gasp of air that transforms our mindset and gives some breathing room to the tasks in our brain. And don’t we need that now, more than ever? Breathing room. Courtesy. Thinking of others. These notions make us human, and what makes us pleasant to live with too. Take some time to sprinkle Please and Thank you into your conversation and see if you don’t get a few magical responses. At the least, you might receive a smile for your effort and that is a priceless gift. Kimberly Fish is an awardwinning novelist and entertaining speaker. She can be reached at 903/738-7363: www.kimberlyfish. com: Fish Tales Publishing

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BRAIN TEASERS

BRAIN BRAINTEASERS TEASERS

GRUBS UP

the perfect burger Tips for grilling

Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level. Subject: PRIZES, MEDALS AND AWARDS In which field is the award given? (e.g., Franz Kafka Prize. Answer: Literature.) PH.D. LEVEL FRESHMAN LEVEL GRADUATE LEVEL 11. The Ashes 1. Academy Awards 6. Mark Twain Prize

Answer________

2. Grammy Awards

7. Clio Awards

12. Ryder Cup

3. Tony Awards

8. Davis Cup

4. Emmy Awards

9. America’s Cup

Answer________

13. Man Booker International Prize

5. Stanley Cup

Answer________

10. Vince Lombardi Trophy

14. LEAF Award

Answer________

15. Robert Frost Medal

Answer________ Answer________ Answer________ Answer________

Answer________

Answer________ Answer________ Answer________

SCORING 24 to 30 points - Congratulations, doctor. 18 to 23 pts - Honors graduate. 13 to 17 pts - You’re plenty smart, but no grind. 5 to 12 pts - You really should hit the books harder. 1 pt to 4 pts - Enroll in remedial courses immediately. 0 pts - Who reads the questions to you?

ANSWERS 1. Film industry 2. Music industry (recording) 3. Stage and theater 4. Television 5. Hockey 6. Humor 7. Advertising 8. Tennis 9. Yachting. 10. Football American) 11. Cricket 12. Golf 13. Literature 14. Architecture 15. Poetry

Comedian Comedian Billy Billy Crystal Crystal with a ‘Mark ‘Mark Twain’ Twain’ trophy trophy

amburgers are a staple at backyard barbecues. Though burgers are a relatively simple food, mastering the technique to grill burgers is no small feat, as there is more to great grilled burgers than simply firing up the grill and dropping down a patty.

 Choose fresh ground beef that has a decent

percentage of fat. The fat-to-lean meat ratio should be around 20 percent fat to 80 percent meat. Spend a little more to get freshly ground meat that has not been previously frozen.  Don’t overwork the burgers with a lot of handling. This will warm up the fat in the burger, which causes it to emulsify and could make the meat rubbery.  Reconsider adding a lot of herbs, spices or addins to the burgers, as such items can detract

SOLUTION

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from the flavor of the meat. Extra herbs and spices also may require extra mixing, which can lead overhandling.  Push a dimple into the top of the burger, which will help prevent the burger from expanding upward and out while cooking and rounding out in the process. The dimple will keep the top of the burger flat, which facilitates easy topping. Make sure the grill is hot. Burgers do well with high heat and will cook relatively quickly.  Resist the urge to push down on the patty with your spatula. This will cause the juices to spill out and may result in a dry, tough burger.  Let burgers rest before serving. This lets the juices redistribute throughout and makes for a moist and tasty first bite.

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