Ok, I ‘m the first to admit politics, current affairs and math are not my bag, baby. I’m more of a path less traveled kind of person and so is the 573 Magazine. As the editor of this magazine I make sure 573 is positive, informative, simple entertainment. You can get news and disaster info from your blog sites, local newspapers and radio. Here, we focus, in an unbiased manner, on what’s good on the table. We take pride in being an authority on local lifestyle, parks and food. Whether you’re Jewish, Catholic, Black, White, republican, democrat, carnivore or vegetarian...you’re all the same to me. We all put our pants on one leg at a time and we all have the same basic needs and desires. We all have the same basic set of problems to deal with and we all have the same clock ticking away our lives second by second. But it is how you spend that time that really counts in life. And when someone does something good for the area we want to tell the world about it. That is truly what the 573 Magazine is all about. It’s about people who do good things with some of their time. It’s all about you!
You all know we are big fans of our state parks and all the incredible trails that wind through Missouri. It’s no secret, unless you live under a rock that the 573 is loaded with the good stuff that makes Missouri the hands down BEST TRAILS STATE. I didn’t make that up: it’s true. Missouri is home to many state and federal agencies that maintain trails, including the National Park Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Forest Service, which manages 700 miles of trail through Mark Twain National Forest; and the Missouri Department of Conservation, which manages 600 miles of trail in over 800,000 acres of conservation areas. A multi-agency effort, led by Missouri State Parks and the Ozark Trail Association, manages the 240mile Ozark Trail that crosses some of Missouri’s most dramatic landscapes.
Recently, in April 2013, Missouri won the prestigious American BEST TRAILS AWARD. The 21st National Trails Awards Program honored people and programs at the 21st American Trails International Trails Symposium held at Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Arizona. Through current and future partnerships at the federal, state and local levels, Missouri continues to build on its statewide trail network and improve its trail system. It is passion and initiatives by people who really care that improve our Missouri trails. Programs like the Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles Challenge not only help the trails but also just help Missourians stay fit and healthy. We recently met up with Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon for an exclusive interview on the state of our trails.
There is no better place to explore the subject of Missouri’s trails than in our 573 Health & Fitness issue. From four distinct seasons and a variety of terrain, to crystal clear streams, lush forest, rolling hills... our beautiful state is crisscrossed with an abundance of great trails to hike. So many, in fact, that Missouri was named the “Best Trails State.” On June 1, 2013, Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne launched the Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles Challenge. Missourians were challenged to complete “100 Missouri Miles” of physical activity by the end of the year. You can run, walk, paddle, hike, ride, cycle, or roll to log the miles. So far, over 10,000 Missourians have logged over 1,000,000 miles. Getting out and exploring 100 miles is way better than sitting on that sunken sofa. The program is passion driven and our Governor and First Lady have not only talked the talk, they have walked the walk. By November, the Governor logged 361 miles and the First Lady 422. I love when people just do things because they sincerely care about something. Get out with family and friends and enjoy the great outdoors. Go to 100missourimiles.com to sign up for the next program. After you register, you can enter your miles and post pictures or comments from your travels. You can also find events all over Missouri and so many trails that you’ll never have to hike, paddle, or ride the same one twice.
Wow. Where to start?
My name is Jay Nixon and I am fortunate enough to be the governor of the greatest of these United States. Before becoming First Lady, my wife, Georganne Wheeler Nixon, taught in the public school system and practiced law. We’ve been married for almost 27 years and have two wonderful sons, Jeremiah and Will. Georganne grew up playing in the many woods and creeks here in Jefferson City; she has had a great passion for the outdoors and has spearheaded initiatives to encourage more children to experience and learn about nature. We are regular people deep down inside and like all couples we have our fair share of ups and downs. It’s been a good life so far. I was born and raised in DeSoto, where my dad was mayor and my mom was the president of the local school board. In our family, we were always reminded of the value of public service and of the responsibility we have to leave our communities better than we found them. I’ve been a public servant for nearly 28 years – first as State Senator, then as Attorney General and now as Governor. Throughout my career in public service, I have strived to honor my parents’ values by working to create jobs, strengthen our schools and make Missouri an even better place to live, work and raise a family.
Editor:
Why do our state parks hold so much importance to you and to all Missourians?
Governor:
I fell in love with the outdoors, as many Missourians did, at a young age -trout-fishing with my dad in our cold, crystal Ozarks streams. Here in Missouri, getting out and enjoying the outdoors isn’t just something we do – it’s part of who we are. Whether it’s hiking, hunting, fishing or bird-watching, that proud tradition of conservation and stewardship is something Missourians share. In the digital age, preserving these outdoor traditions is more important than ever for the sake of our heritage, but also our health. Even a small amount of physical activity can have huge benefits for your health and overall well-being. And think about it, you can spend hundreds of dollars on the latest gadget or video game, or you can go and enjoy the outdoors for free. Outdoor recreation also packs a punch for our economy. An economic impact study found that visitors to state parks produced an overall economic impact of $1.02 billion and supported more than 14,000 Missouri jobs.
This is why we’ve made promoting Missouri’s outdoor heritage a top priority of my administration. At a time when other states were shutting down their parks, we added to our system of 87 parks and historic sites. During my very first year in office, I visited every single one of them so I could fully understand their importance. Also, to give children more opportunities to learn about and experience nature first-hand, the First Lady and I launched the Children in Nature Challenge. And this past summer, for the third year in a row, our nationallyrecognized State Parks Youth Corps gave young adults the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while improving our parks and historic sites. The First Lady and I take great pride that through these efforts, families will continue to be able to enjoy the outstanding natural resources our state has to offer today and for many generations to come.
Editor:
Tell us about the 100 Missouri Miles program.
Governor:
Last June, the First Lady and I launched the Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles Challenge to celebrate Missouri’s distinction as the 2013 Best Trails State in America and to encourage Missourians to take advantage of our award-winning trails. We challenged Missourians to join us as we completed 100 miles of physical activity on Missouri trails. Whether they ran, walked, cycled, paddled or rolled, we wanted Missourians of all ages, interests and ability levels to participate by signing up and logging their miles at mo.gov. The response was overwhelming. From Special Olympians to marathon runners, competitive cyclists to folks recovering from an illness or injury, thousands of Missourians embraced the challenge as a way to get healthy, spend time with family and friends, and have fun in the great outdoors. Many Missourians, including the First Lady and me, reached 100 miles and kept going. In fact, we recently surpassed our goal of 10,000 Missourians logging 1 million miles this year.
Editor:
What’s your favorite trail?
First Lady:
I knew you were going to ask me that -ha ha! From state parks and national forests to neighborhood greenways and bike paths, Missouri has something for everyone, but I’d have to say our personal favorite is the Katy Trail, the nation’s longest rails-to-trails project. On the weekends, the two of us often start the day with a four mile walk on the trail near Jefferson City, or do a longer hike up to the town of Hartsburg. Farther west toward Rocheport is one of the most breathtaking sections of the trail, with beautiful views of the river. That’s also where you can stop by McBaine’s grand champion bur oak tree, a mid-Missouri landmark that’s more than 350 years old. If you haven’t seen that, I recommend you do.
Editor:
Tell us about your dog.
The First Lady: Jay and I are lifelong pet lovers. Daniel Boone is a Welsh Springer Spaniel who also loves the outdoors and joins us on many of our hikes. One of his favorite things to do is greet the many fourth graders that visit the Mansion throughout the school year. Just look at that smile - it’s infectious. If you are a fourth grader, please urge your teachers to come and visit us at the Governor’s Mansion. With more than 60,000 visitors a year, Daniel Boone stays pretty busy.
Editor:
Daniel Boone do you have anything
to add?
Daniel Boone:
Arff. Arff, Arff, Arff, Arff,. Arf, Arff. Arff, Arff, Arff, Arff. (The food’s good. The people are friendly. And the parks are full of trees. What’s not to love?)
It’s been said that romance is the fuel that keeps love burning hot. Whether this is your first Valentine’s Day together or your 40th, the person who is responsible for bringing a smile to your face all year long deserves special thanks on the one holiday made for expressing just how precious he or she is to you. In just a few short weeks, romantics everywhere will be making plans to woo their sweetheart. Baby it’s cold outside, but you can rest assured that inside it will be warm and romantic with a overnight stay at one of the many killer Bed and Breakfasts in the area. Grab your bags, grab your baby and get ready for a hot weekend.
Dr. Hertich’s House -Ste. Genevieve Love Notes Suite Musical themed. Double Jacuzzi tub with waterfall and aromatherapy make this three room suite one of our guests’ favorites for honeymoons and anniversaries. $189 (573) 883-5744 Main Street Inn -Ste. Genevieve Rendezvous Room Pencil post queen bed, two comfortable chairs set before the gas log fireplace, and a luxurious 2-person whirlpool add to the romance of this cozy, secluded guest retreat. Wine and homemade cookies included. $159 (573) 883-9199 Nostalgic Place -Arcadia Valley The St. Francois Suite Elegantly adorned by a large, wooden canopy bed and luxurious whirlpool tub. Carriage rides and many other extras available. Wine included. $155 (573) 546-1201 Aunt Kat’s Bed & Breakfast -Marquand Our cozy B&B is within walking distance of Durso Hills Bistro and Winery and The Castor River. Enjoy a morning in a rocking chair and drinking coffee on our front porch. $125 (573) 783-3282 White Cliff Manor -Ste. Genevieve Caroline Schaaf Room Features a Luxurious King Bed with a magnificent view of Historic Kaskaskia Island first settled by French Jesuit Missionaries in 1703. The immense view is reminiscent of Colonial Estates along the Potomac and James Rivers $155 (573) 543-5445 Southern Hotel -Ste. Genevieve Buttons & Bows This is the most perfect lover’s retreat you’ll find. Two hand-painted in-room claw foot tubs. The pair faces each other, allowing you to gaze at your true love as you sip chilled champagne and soak in billowy bubbles. $160 (573) 883-3493
Bellevue Bed & Breakfast -Ste. Genevieve Girardot Bellevue Room Bed & Breakfast -Ste. Genevieve Romantic elegance perfectly describes Girardot. Girardot Room Soft shades of creamperfectly and chocolate silk Girardot. adorn Romantic elegance describes the luxurious, king bed. The silk French Soft shades ofpillow-top cream and chocolate adorn antiques, books, and artking invite dreams of Paris. the luxurious, pillow-top bed. The French The spacious, chandelier bath dreams with oversized antiques, books, and art invite of Paris. whirlpool for two and separate step-in shower The spacious, chandelier bath with oversized provides relaxing, romantic, whirlpool afor two and separaterejuvenating step-in shower retreat. $185 (573) 335-3302 provides a relaxing, romantic, rejuvenating retreat. $185 (573) 335-3302 Inn St Gemme Beauvais -Ste. Genevieve The Inn maintains the splendor of the past with period Inn St Gemme Beauvais -Ste. Genevieve decor while adding contemporary luxuries in each room. The Inn maintains the splendor of the past with period The Carriage House is a private cottage behind Theroom. Inn. decor while adding contemporary luxuries in each Its exposed brickawalls take you back in time. Thelovely Carriage House is private cottage behind The The Inn. fireplace and double jetted soothe before Its lovely exposed brick walls tub takewill you backyou in time. The curling upand in the king bed.There even a candlelit fireplace double jetted tub iswill soothe you before breakfast, there bound to be ais small burning in the curling up in the isking bed.There evenfire a candlelit fireplace you to bask warmth of its glow. breakfast,allowing there is bound to beinathe small fire burning in the $189 (573) 883-5744 fireplace allowing you to bask in the warmth of its glow. $189 (573) 883-5744 Dragonfly Inn -Ironton The Dragonfly Suite Dragonfly Inn -Ironton 86 acres of privacy. The Dragonfly Suite Private lake, outdoor hot tub, hiking trails, in-room Jacuzzi, all the amenities 86 acres of privacy. Private lake, outdoor hot and tub, a gourmet breakfast. Warm, friendly and devilishly hiking trails, in-room Jacuzzi, all the amenities and romantic. (888) 840-3657 a gourmet$169 breakfast. Warm, friendly and devilishly romantic. $169 (888) 840-3657 Homeport Inn -Ellington Are you ready for the most secluded spot in Missouri? Homeport Inn -Ellington No no TV, nospot internet. Just you Arecell youphone ready connections, for the most secluded in Missouri? and your honey. The B&B is located in a peaceful No cell phone connections, no TV, no internet. Justvalley you in theyour middle of nowhere has a classy, quirky New and honey. The B&B and is located in a peaceful valley Orleans ocean A tasty treat is provided first thing in the middle oftheme. nowhere and has a classy, quirky New in the morning the “Magic as a prelude to Orleans oceanthrough theme. A tasty treatDoor” is provided first thing the incredible breakfast you will be served. They provide in the morning through the “Magic Door” as a prelude to just what everybreakfast romanticyou couple wants. the incredible will be served. They provide $125 (573) 663-7887 just what every romantic couple wants. $125 (573) 663-7887
Ask any entrepreneur with an in-home office, and they’ll tell you that sitting around in your pajamas all day and walking back and forth to the refrigerator gets old fast. Both coffee shops and home offices have too many distractions and limitations to grow a business efficiently. Trying to do business at a local coffee shop is a drag. It can be downright embarrassing having to meet clients in a public place—not to mention the sour looks you get from the coffee shop owners. And the thought of a long term lease or the expense of building out permanent office space is overwhelming. If this sounds familiar, a shared co-working environment could be a long awaited solution to your pain and as well as a way to grow your business. Enter WorkSPACE a shared office space.
WorkSPACE provides affordable, flexible, ondemand shared office, virtual, and meeting space for independent professionals, entrepreneurs, and small companies. WorkSPACE is revolutionizing your everyday work experience by creating a collaborative and open community. The idea is easy to understand; it saves you a ton of dough and it just makes a lot of sense. It’s called shared office space. It’s designed to help small businesses and beginning entrepreneurs get out of their basements or coffee shops and into a real, professional work setting.
WorkSPACE recently opened its doors in downtown Farmington. WorkSPACE, the brainchild of Image Maker Marketing, is solving the big question that all start-up businesses are faced to ponder, “Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?” You need to grow your business before you can get an office, and you need an office before you can grow your business. WorkSPACE solves this dilemma for you by providing office space without a long term lease, fully furnished, utilities included, free WIFI… and at 50% to 70% less than any other office space in the region. WorkSPACE, strategically located on the main drag in downtown Farmington, is full of energy. In addition to Internet, furnishing, and utilities included, your new office will also have access to the private conference room with chalk board, lobby/waiting area, lounge complete with kitchenette, outdoor courtyard, bike rack, private lockers and mailing service with a professional address. Being part of an office community creates opportunities through networking which can improve your business. By leaving the operation of your office to WorkSPACE, you can concentrate on managing and marketing your business and boosting productivity for your company while in a fun and friendly environment. In addition to open office space, WorkSPACE offers several small private offices available for short-term 3 to 12 month leases. They come fully furnished with secured keyed excess 24/7/365. Private office spaces range from $250 to $450 per month depending upon the amenities. WorkSPACE also offers virtual presence. You can work from anywhere you like but still have a high profile address. Your mail is held for your pickup. You can project the right professional image for your business in an immediate, cost-effective way. You can even get an office or conference room for a day, or even just an hour. Work in peace and comfort, and be just as effective as you are in your normal workspace. For details visit workspace573.com
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and more medical professionals are also recognizing the healing affects that the arts can offer. In a study from the American Public Health Association (APHA), creative arts were successfully used to help lessen the psychological effects of breast cancer patients which included depression, anxiety, and feelings of fear, anger, and guilt. According to APHA, “Engaging in different types of visual art (textiles, card making, collage, pottery, watercolor, acrylics) helped these women in 4 major ways. First, it helped them focus on positive life experiences, relieving their ongoing preoccupation with cancer. Second, it enhanced their self-worth and identity by providing them with opportunities to demonstrate continuity, challenge, and achievement. Third, it enabled them to maintain a social identity that resisted being defined by cancer. Finally, it allowed them to express their feelings in a symbolic manner, especially during chemotherapy.�
Ok, I know I’m not a medical doctor but I can relate to how and what being creative does for me. A true artist will tell you that they create art because they have to. I say create art or have a hobby simply because you can. You don’t have to be a great artist to be creative. Do it for yourself. Do it because if makes you feel better. Recently, we meet up with a local person who is creating change in the community while helping others to create art. Dr. Theresa Cavins is not only a medical doctor, she is also an artist and art gallery owner. She houses the Ste. Genevieve Arts Council and does whatever she can to help people get involved with the arts. It takes people like her, people who are willing to use their personal resources and time, to make a difference. I love it when people create change for the better. Meet Dr. Theresa Cavins: doctor, artist, gallery owner.
My name is Theresa Cavins. I am a breast care surgeon at Métis Breast Center in Bloomsdale, http:// www.metisbreastcenter.org/, and an art gallery owner is Ste. Genevieve, http://www.artstegen.org/. I think it is particularly important for businesses and local leaders to support the cultural scene in small communities. Many rural areas are often devoid of art and cultural outlets. We are fortunate to have a thriving art community here, along with the beauty of nature just footsteps from our door. My studio is above our gallery at 109 North Main Street in Ste. Genevieve. It was once a pharmacy and doctor’s office. The building was built in the 1800’s. My husband, Tom, and I have enjoyed rehabbing both levels with my cousin from Dean Menard Construction. The studio and gallery are “vintage industrial” style. The use of natural materials enhances the historic structure. The Ste. Genevieve Art Guild hosts 4th Friday Art Walk exhibits and other events at the gallery. This coming year we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Ste. Genevieve Colony of Art. This group of regional artists included such artists as Thomas Hart Benton. They came to Ste. Genevieve to be inspired by the history and natural beauty of the surroundings in the 1930’s. Also, this coming June, the Ste. Genevieve Art Guild, in conjunction with the St Louis Art Guild, will be hosting a “Summer of School of Art.” It will include workshops by local regional artist Bryan Haynes, demonstrations, exhibits, salon discussion groups, and much more. We are thrilled to be able to offer this level of art appreciation and instruction in our community. More info to come at http://www.artstegen.org/
Personally, I think art and other passionate pursuits are important to good health because they place our mental state on a higher plane. Much like prayer and meditation, doing something in which you are totally immersed allows you to become physically relaxed, emotionally calm, mentally focused, and spiritually aware. Being in this state opens the channel of creativity, and fosters overall balance, physical well-being, and good health. If I had advice for good health it would be…you get what you give! Be AWARE of your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual state. Keep an exercise schedule, know where your food is coming from, and do something every week that stretches your comfort zone. You will amaze yourself and be a shining example for others. Every day is the opportunity to do better! And, what better time to vow to do better than with a New Year’s resolution? This year, I resolve to SHOW appreciation more regularly to my home and work families, and to my friends and neighbors. I think communicating our admiration and respect is important, rather than just feeling that people know these things intuitively. Even when they do, it is always nice to hear it!
snowing outside…must be at least 17 inches of snow visible through the frosted, nose-smudged window. (well maybe only 5 for real) My brothers and I are all huddle around the radio hoping and praying for our school to be called. Jackpot! No school today. We finish up our hot chocolate and slip into big, winter coats, boots, scarves, hats, gloves (tube socks will make due if we can’t find our gloves), and we are ready to seize the snow day. We step out the door and the cold air slaps me in the face. I give no thought to my parents who are struggling for ways to keep the house warm, or ways to prevent the pipes from freezing, or ways for dad to get back and forth to work in the snow…or for ways to keep all seven of us fed. I didn’t know and I didn’t care. The snow was delivered specially for me and I’m goin’ in! After 58 minutes and 37 seconds of sledding, building snowmen, and fighting off older brothers in the snowball fight of the century, my hands are frozen. I’ve had as much fun as a snowy eyed nine-year-old can have. Once inside, as I begin to warm, the pain begins to set in…My fingers are frozen! My mother rushes me to the bathroom and runs cool water over my hands. I stand at the sink and try not to cry, fingers burning. I am convinced I caught frost bite surely I am going to lose a few fingers, but all the while my mom whispers to me, “It’s ok. You’re gonna to be alright.” My snowy childhood memories all seem like a fairytale to me now, but I still love the snow and I still think getting only a single inch of snow is just Mother Nature playing a cruel trick.
“We’ve been lucky this year with the snow,” says the publisher, “so get out there. Do a snow shoot. Round up some clothes, some jewelry and a model. Get someone with a good attitude who’s not afraid to get cold. Make it beautiful. And we need it tomorrow at the latest.” Hmmm. That sounds easy enough, right? I’m a firm believer in the fact that if you want something done, you ask a busy person first. We recently met a young lady who is very busy and very talented. She is so talented, in fact, we decided to let her be our model and author of the article, too. Meet 16-year-old Hannah Oliver, editor of her high school yearbook, treasurer of her class, associate captain of the dance team, member of National Honor Society and Student Council, ballet dancer, and part-time restaurant employee. One can only imagine what her life will be like 10 years from now!
I am an extremely driven, goal oriented person and tend to be a bit of a perfectionist which, when coupled with all of my school work, extra-curricular activities, and dance classes, keeps me very, very busy. That being said, I’m not ashamed to say I love snow days when school is cancelled. It gives me a chance to slow down and “chill” out. Truth be told, I really don’t care for winter when it stays cold for a long time. After a few weeks of cold weather, I am ready for things to change. However, the kind of cold that comes with snow is a different matter all-together. Even the ugliest landscape looks clean and fresh after it’s blanketed by a deep snow. The world instantly looks spotless, brighter and more peaceful to me. The sounds of our world are muffled, and life seems to slow down. Peaceful and quiet, just like the snowflakes that flutter down from above. Snow makes me think of all the millions and millions of snowflakes it takes to cover the ground -each different from the next. It makes me think of the book, Snowflake Bentley, which is about Wilson Bentley who was so intrigued by snowflakes that he spent much of his life studying them. He was the first person to photograph snowflakes and teach us that no two snowflakes are alike.
I love snow and all that accompanies its arrival: layers and layers of warm clothes, playing outside, hot chocolate, and sitting by a toasty, warm fire. A cold, snowing day is invigorating. The crisp air seems to give me energy, enthusiasm and warm memories. My fondest childhood memory of snow is when I was about three years old. My sisters, mom, dad and I made snowmen and went sledding. I remember trying to make an igloo, but my hands quickly became too cold. I headed inside where my mom had hot chocolate waiting for me. I think my entire family has a great memory of that day. Snow is like that. It gives you endearing memories that last a lifetime.
Special thanks to all the people who made this editorial possible. Clothing provided by Gliks Wardobe Styling by Chad Walton Modeled by Hannah Oliver Jewlery provided by Krekeler Jewelers Lafonn Emerald Regal Bracelet with simulated diamonds- $510 Lafonn Tennis Bracelet with simulated diamonds– $270 Lafonn Bangle with simulated diamonds – $335 Alwand Vahan Bracelet with 20 Round Cut Diamonds – $3999 Pandora Bracelet - $700.00 View the 573 Digital to see more images from this shoot.
One modern approach to healthcare involves holistic medicine. A group of local doctors from Midwest Health Group and the Midwest Orthopedic Pain & Spine have joined forces and are using many holistic methods for treating their patients. Here is what Dr. Stephanie Moniz and her husband, Dr. Paul Moniz told us about this new approach to your health. Holistic medicine is an approach to medicine that involves the body, emotional health, and spirit. It is a combination of alternative medicine, which can include herbal remedies, chiropractors, and acupuncture, and conventional medicine, involving prescriptions and surgeries, or other medical procedures. With holistic medicine, the thinking is that if the body is imbalanced, there is a negative impact on one’s overall health. If one body part isn’t functioning correctly, the whole body can be out of whack. Osteopathic physicians are taught to approach the body as a whole. We try to fix the body, not the symptom. During an office visit, I will discuss a patient’s personal habits, as well as physical symptoms. I want to know what medications they are on, what they eat, how they sleep, and how they handle stress in their daily lives. All of these issues can impact a patient’s overall health. I want the patient to feel comfortable. I want them to know that I am listening and, most importantly, that I care. If a patient does not like the doctor, they will not be open and honest, which makes it difficult for the doctor to give appropriate treatment. This is a very important part of healthcare.
The holistic approach to healthcare is a better choice than past approaches because it focuses on a patient’s own responsibility for his or her health. We don’t just prescribe medicines and send patients out the door. It is important to educate them as well. Lifestyle habits and changes can have a big impact on a patient’s health. I stress the importance of a healthy diet, with low fats and carbohydrates, and lots of water, along with vitamins and exercise. Poor sleep habits can be detrimental to your health also. I try to educate patients about proper sleep habits. We also use other modalities to improve health, such as counseling, dieticians, massage therapy, and manipulation. Osteopathic physicians and chiropractors believe that some ailments can be caused by misalignment of bones and joints. Sometimes, manipulation to correct the alignment may improve or even cure issues. The digital age has certainly improved healthcare. Many mistakes, made from misinterpretation of notes and prescriptions, are avoided. Our notes are much more detailed now. We have easier access to past medical history, chronic illnesses, blood work, and radiology. Medications are listed in every note and sent by the computer directly to the pharmacy. This cuts down on possibly deadly errors from illegible prescriptions. It makes it easier for pharmacies and practitioners to track when and where medications have been filled. I foresee a countrywide tracking system that can possibly eliminate medication abuse. We already have an e-mail system that patients can use. They have access to their records and can directly ask the nurses or providers questions. Patients really like this because it gives them some control over their healthcare. There has been so much amazing technology that has come about over the last several years, but there is still no magic bullet that will cure every problem. In this day and age, the main thing that people should focus on is preventative medicine. Change your habits to be healthier. Eat better and exercise more. Get the tests done that your doctor recommends. Try to eliminate the bad stress, or change how you handle that stress. Get a good night’s sleep. Focus on the positive things in life and surround yourself with people who make you happy and make you feel good about you. You can learn more about the doctors behind this movement at www.not just another health group.com
years ago a group of women and myself formed a committee to try and raise money for the local food pantries. I had seen the articles in parade magazine about The Great American Bake Sale and was always intrigued at the amounts of money raised. At the time, The Great American Bake Sale raised money for hungry children in after school programs, a very worthy cause. The GABS is a good idea, but if we joined up with them the money raised would go somewhere else. I wanted the money to stay right here in our community. I knew doing our own a bake sale was the way to go, but I was terrified at the prospect of trying to organize it -what if it all failed? Not long after that I was lying in bed one morning when I heard God speak to me. He simply said, “Hey Chris, what about that bake sale?” I replied with “I’ll get right on it” and that’s what gave me the courage to take the first step. My churches minister of education, got very excited about the idea and he introduced me to the right people and things started rolling. The goal was to create bake sales where anyone who wanted to become involved could. From the very beginning people from all over the area got involved. Churches, schools, civic organizations, businesses and community members all participate. People participate by baking, donating, a holiday wreath or centerpiece for the holiday décor raffle, donate a themed basket for the silent auction, or donate an item or service for the live auction. We also receive cash donations from corporate sponsors. I want to talk about the committee. The feed the hungry bake sale committee is made up of a group of passionate, smart, hard working women determined to help people in need. They come from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life and we all feel so blessed to get to work with one another. They don’t get much credit, but they’re tops in my book. Of course, the bake sale wouldn’t even be a story if it weren’t for the generous support of the community. This year we raised $43,000 with the extra effort of many people. All the money raised is divided equally between the St. Vincent de Paul and Ministerial Alliance Food Pantries. We have no administrative costs and work very hard to get necessary things at a discount or for free, so almost every penny we raise goes to the pantries. We specify that the money has to be used to buy food - it cannot be used to pay salaries, utilities, etc. The two food pantries serve portions of Iron, Madison and Ste. Genevieve counties as well as St. Francois.
My name is Chris Landrum. For the past 25 years, I’ve been married to my husband Mit; we have a blended family. We were almost the Brady bunch - we just needed one more boy plus I would have loved to have had an Alice. All of our children are grown, married, and have children of their own - one in Seattle, one in Green Bay, WI, one in San Fran and one in St. Louis. I was a college career counselor for 26 years, where I also taught, advised, etc. I currently still work part-time, doing training and job profiling. My hobbies include working out every morning, reading, gardening and baking. I teach 9th and 10th grade Sunday school, belong to a garden club and a book club. BROWN BUTTER PUMPKIN LAYER CAKE The cake is a brown butter pumpkin layer cake. I discovered it when my daughter was getting married a couple of years ago; I wanted to bake her wedding cake and she wanted something other than a traditional white cake. She took one bite of this cake and she was sold on it. It uses fresh pumpkin that is roasted in the oven and then the pulp is scooped out to be used in the cake batter. (I’m sure canned pumpkin can work just as well, but I always like to do things the hard way!). Download my cake recipe at 573mag.com.
BROWN BUTTER PUMPKIN LAYER CAKE Puree 2 tsp. vegetable oil 1 medium-large Sugar Pie pumpkin, cut in half from stem to bottom and seeded OR 1 ½ cups canned pumpkin CAKE 6 oz. (3/4 cup) unsalted butter; more for the pans 9 oz. (2 cups) unbleached all purpose flour, more for pans 1 ½ tsp. baking soda 1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground ginger ¾ tsp. table salt ¼ tsp. cloves 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 large eggs 1/3 cup buttermilk TOPPING 1 ½ Tbs. unsalted butter 2/3 cup pecans ½ cup unsalted, raw, hulled pepitas (I use roasted, salted because that’s all I can find at Wal-Mart and it turns out fine. Pepitas are pumpkin seeds.) 2 Tbs. firmly packed light brown sugar ¼ tsp. table salt (omit if using salted pepitas) 1 ½ Tbs. chopped crystallized ginger FROSTING 4 oz. (1/2 cup) unsalted butter 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature ¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar 5 oz. (1 ¼ cups) confectioners’ sugar
MAKE THE PUMPKIN PUREE (Skip this step if using canned pumpkin) Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350F. Brush a 13 x 9 baking dish with the oil. Put the pumpkin halves in the dish cut side down and bake until tender when pierced with a fork, about 45 minutes. Let cool. Peel the pumpkin and puree the flesh in a food processor until smooth. You’ll need 1 ½ cups of the purée for the cake. You can make the puree up to 2 days ahead. Refrigerate or freeze any remaining puree for another use. MAKE THE CAKE Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350F. Butter 2 9” round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment, butter the parchment, and flour the pans. Melt the butter in a heavy-duty 1 qt. saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally until the butter turns a nutty golden-brown, about 4 minutes. Pour into a small bowl and let stand until cool but not set, about 15 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and cloves. In a large bowl, whisk 1 ½ cups pumpkin with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and buttermilk until very well blended. With a rubber spatula, stir in the flour mixture until just combines. Gently whisk in the brown butter until completely incorporated. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake the cakes until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 28 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Turn the cakes out onto racks, remove the parchment, and cool completely. MAKE THE TOPPING Melt the butter in a heavy-duty 12” nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans and pepitas and cook until the pecans brown slightly and the pepitas begin to pop, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle in the brown sugar and salt and stir until the sugar melts and the nuts are glazed, about 2 minutes. Stir in the ginger. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool in the skillet. MAKE THE FROSTING Melt the butter in a heavy-duty 1 quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally until the butter turns a nutty golden-brown, about 4 minutes. Pour into a small bowl and let stand until the solids settle at the bottom of the bowl, about 5 minutes. Carefully transfer the bowl to the freezer and chill until just firm, about 18 minutes. Using a spoon, carefully scrape the butter from the bowl, leaving the browned solids at the bottom; discard the solids. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar on mediumhigh speed until light in color and the brown sugar has dissolved, 2 minutes. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar and continue beating until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. ASSEMBLE THE CAKE Put one cake layer on a cake plate. Spread ½ cup of the frosting on the layer. Sprinkle ½ cup of the nut mixture over the frosting and top with the second layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Arrange the remaining topping in a ring 1 ½ inches from the edge of the cake. Serve immediately or cover with a cake dome and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Serve at room temperature.
A recent National Aeronautics and Space Administration study has found that the human body requires only as much sleep as the brain will allow. No more, no less. In other words, as long as the brain is functioning at full capacity, there’s no great requirement for sleep. That being said, the brain does needs rest. Just a short, 20-minute power nap can help to refresh the brain to near full capacity.
An afternoon 20-minute power nap can provide a fresh burst of new ideas and energy. Naps can eliminate the need for caffeine jolts and provide a reserve of energy for after-work activity…a good alternative to falling asleep on the couch watching TV. Research has also found that napping regularly may reduce stress and even decrease the risk of heart disease. “Daytime naps can be one way to treat sleep deprivation,” says Cristine Herrington RN, MSN, FNP-BC, at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital. “You can get incredible benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of napping,” she says. “You reset the system and get a burst of alertness and increased motor performance. That’s what most people really need to stave off sleepiness and get an energy boost. I think the concept of napping is wonderful! However, the body releases chemicals while we are asleep that boost our immune system. The National Institute of Health reports studies that sleep and the circadian system exert strong influence on the immune system. That being said, if you are frequently short of sleep, despite the brain needing rest, it has been found we may get ill easier. So make sure you get a proper amount of deep sleep.”
But, what if you are at work in the afternoons? A survey by the National Sleep Foundation found that about 30% of the US work force is allowed to nap at work, and some employers even provide a place for employees to nap. If your place of employment isn’t nap-friendly, you can take a power up in your car. (A word of caution: always turn off the car and put on the emergency brake. Park in a well-lit area with plenty of people around and lock all of your doors.) To get the most out of your power nap: Be consistent. Keep a regular nap schedule. Prime napping time falls in the middle of the day, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Some doctors say to have caffeine right before you power nap. This may sound counter-intuitive since caffeine is a stimulant, but the effects don’t kick in immediately. Taking 200mg of caffeine right before a 20-minute nap will not only improve your performance, but it will also lessen how sleepy you feel once you wake up. Skip the caffeine if it’s late in the afternoon—you’ll have a hard time falling asleep later. Even if you can’t sleep, close your eyes and meditate. You might not be used to napping, but if you incorporate short bouts of sleep into a daily routine (taking a nap every day after lunch, for example) you can “train” your body to expect a nap during that time. Soon, you’ll have an easier time falling asleep. Get up as soon as you get 20 minutes of sleep no matter what. You may want to set your cell phone alarm. Sleeping for any longer than 20 minutes will be counter-productive. It can lead to sleep inertia which makes you feel sluggish and more tired than ever. Follow your power nap up with a little physical activity. You can increase your pulse rate with a few jumping jacks, push-ups, or a little bit of jogging in place. Washing your face after your power nap can help you feel more awake and get you back to work. What are you waiting for? Take a nap!
When I read the online description of the Mike Renick band, I expected a run-of-the-mill “I want to be a rock band” band, but was I surprised! Featuring very talented musicians, the Mike Renick band had the crowd excited and dancing. It was down-right festive at the Rude Dog Pub. The music, Anberlin-esque, hard-hitting percussion and bass with familiar chorus melodies, was appealing to the diverse crowd of all ages. The band, that evidently has a loyal following, put on a good show to a full house. A nice addition to the band is the saxophonist Wes Grabel whose enthusiastic playing is a show in and of itself. The band focuses intently on the music while playing, but they have fun with the crowd as well. If you are looking for a night out to dance or just to watch a fun crowd and listen to music, then I recommend going to see the Mike Renick band.
The band recently released a new CD in September titled “Mike Renick Band” that contains six original songs. They have been playing in Cape Girardeau since 2004, usually in venues such as Rude Dog Pub, Mixing 10 and Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. They also play private parties and some out-of-town venues. Mike’s day job happens to be the onair personality for 93.9 The River and the operations manager of Mississippi River Radio, LLC. So busy he is, and dedicated to music, no doubt.
Jim How, now retired from Ameren UE, struggled with poor vision until very recently when he had laser bifocal surgery. As the years progressed, slowly but surely, Jim’s sight deteriorated to the point of blurry blobs. Glasses never seemed to work. He decided, after a recomendation from family and friends, to fix his vision. “My procedure day finally arrived. The surgeon asked how I was doing and told me that my world was going to change in a few minutes. He made a simple laser incision. After that, I was in the procedure room and my new bi-focal lenses were put in. Another painless zap of the laser, and I was on my way home.” “my new eyes are amazing. The bright colors and the clarity are just imposible to fully explain -I have the eyes of a 20 years of man. When I drove out into a hilly area and I was in total awe -I could see in 3 dimensions again. I could see the hills and individual leaves on the trees. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen in my life, even though I was only viewing a few rolling hills in the distance. It’s the simplest things I appreciate again, like looking at the shape, texture and color of a rock or the way water refracts light. I’m an avid sportsman and I love the outdoors. Now I can enjoy things like this again. I couldn’t be happier with the proceesure and the gang at Precision Eye Care are amazing people.”
The youngest baby boomers are just around 55, a prime time for needing reading glasses. By this age, nearly everyone loses the ability to focus close-up and usually it gets worse over time. If you don’t like reading glasses, bifocals, or contacts, there is a more permanent choice. Surgery to remove the natural lens and replace it with a special artificial lens for sight at multiple distances is another option. It is the exact same procedure as cataract surgery except that the patient doesn’t have cataracts. The specialty lenses have been available as an upgrade option in cataract surgery since the mid-2000’s and have become increasingly more sophisticated. In general, all patients with a standard lens implant will need a pair of glasses to read. There are two major types of Presbyopic lenses, Multifocal and Accommodating lenses: Multifocal lenses have both reading and distance prescriptions on the lens itself much like a pair of bifocal glasses. Just like bifocal lenses, not everyone can adapt to them, so not everyone is a good candidate for these lens implants. Extensive pre-operative testing and counseling help ensure that this is a good option for you. Accommodating lenses are designed to attempt to work in a similar fashion to the way our natural lens worked when we were younger. When we are young, we can work our focusing muscles to enable us to see both distance and near. Accommodating lenses are designed to work with the muscles inside your eye to change shape depending on the distance you are trying to focus.
Replacing natural lenses that no longer see perfectly, but aren’t clouded with sight-blocking cataracts is called refractive lens exchange. People in their 50’s and 60’s who have small, beginning cataracts that aren’t yet affecting vision are opting for early cataract surgery to take advantage of the specialty lenses. Dr. John Fitz has been in private practice of comprehensive Ophthalmology for 23 years, starting Precision Eye Care in 1986. He is board certified, and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, the Faculty of the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and the Missouri Society of Eye Surgeons. He has performed well over 10,000 cataract surgeries, and has been on the forefront in the use of premium IOL’s that correct presbyopia and astigmatism. He was the first Crystalens certified surgeon in Southern Missouri/ Eastern Illinois. He also was one of the first surgeons to implant the Restor and Rezoom lens in the region as well.
Dr. John Fitz told us what makes Precision Eye Care tick. Heres what he had to say. “Precision Eye Care was established in 1986, and was founded on the principle of providing the best quality of Ophthalmology services. We are built on a foundation of patient-centric service philosophy to treat our patients as we would our own family. We provide the most advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures for people of any age. Our facility includes a modern in-house operating suite complete with a separate preoperative waiting area. Our patient support staff is with you every step of the way from your comprehensive evaluation through your post-operative visits. We work as a team, actually more like a family, from the doctors to the support staff, we are bound together to make the most effective, results driven eye surgery team in the region. It’s quality and service that has built Precision Eye Care and will keep it on the leading edge for years to come.
Dr. Anton Beffa is an excellent cataract surgeon, utilizing the latest techniques. He is board certified, and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also trained in the use of specialized cataract surgery implants such as multifocal implants (ReStor & Technis multifocal implants) and astigmatism correcting implants (Toric implants). He has built a reputation of trustworthiness over 24 years of practice with many thousands of happy cataract surgery patients. Dr. Beffa was in private practice in Indiana from 1989 to 1995 where he helped found the Surgery Center of Southern Indiana. Some of his patients still drive from Indiana to see him. He joined Precision Eyecare in 1996 and has been at the forefront in our growth. Dr. Michael Morris, the youngest member of our medical staff, provides comprehensive ophthalmologic care. He is an excellent surgeon. He is also trained in the use of specialized cataract surgery implants such as multifocal implants (ReStor & Technis multifocal implants) and astigmatism correcting implants (Toric implants). In addition, Dr. Morris provides surgical and clinical care for diseases of the eyes including glaucoma, diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, and many others. He is Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Myself, Dr. Beffa, and Dr. Morris act as one team. Sort of like a tightly strung rope. Each strand making the whole stronger. That is Precision Eye Care.”
My name is Cathy Baker. I Live in Farmington with my husband Rick. We have three married sons (Josh, Brandon, and Aaron) and three beautiful daughters-in-law (Tara, Ciera, and Haley). And, we have one amazingly adorable granddaughter, Kinley. I own two small businesses and my husband has a career in law enforcement. We truly have it made. That being said, I had one BIG problem: weight had crept up on me over the past few years. It was last March and my son’s wedding was taking place in May—just a few months away—and I not happy with my appearance. I didn’t feel well either. With only two and half months to go, what was I going to do? YUCK!!! I decided I would lose some weight somehow, someway. I did what most people do in my place. I purchased some processed food from a weight loss company and struggled to lose pounds. The food was terrible. The small, dried portions were not appealing to me. Then, on Easter evening I was talking to my niece, and she told me about a weight loss company she and her husband work for called IT WORKS GLOBAL. I agreed to give it a try. Seriously, what did I have to lose? I could get the products through a preferred customer program wholesale; or I could become a distributor and not only get wholesale, but get $120 of free products the first month and earn some money while I lost weight. I know. I, too, thought it sounded too good to be true. I was TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY! My goal for my son’s wedding was to lose 30 pounds—a huge goal, right? Not only did I lose the 30 pounds, I lost 8 on top of that for a total of 38 pounds in two-and-a-half months. WHOOO HOOO! I’m on board! I now have a new goal of 50 pounds. I’m still on the journey even though I am not in such a rush now that the wedding is over. Now it is my way of life, and always will be. This journey has made me aware of how important our health and well-being is. It is the only body God gave me so I’m planning to take the best of care of it I possibly can. What I did not realize when I started out were all the benefits of complete health. Of course, the physical change is the obvious benefit, but the feeling of strength and self-confidence also came with it. The physical portion is the reason most set out with a weight loss program, but the other reasons are why most stay with it. When I decided to lose weight, I had to find what worked for me, my schedule, and my lifestyle. I was lost until I joined up with IT WORKS GLOBAL.
IT WORKS GLOBAL is ranked on INC 500 Magazine’s prestigious list experiencing 1,047% growth over the past three years and is one of the fastest growing companies in this category in the U. S. Their weight loss supplements are truly amazing, and they are all organic and 100% chemical-free. Today I am a distributor for IT WORKS GLOBAL. I get to help others achieve their weight loss goals and make a little money while I continue on my weight loss program. How sweet it that? On January 15, 2014, I will be attending the IT WORKS GLOBAL Freedom Conference. I will be sailing away with other leaders of the company on a beautiful yacht in Tampa, Florida, to set new goals and plans for 2014! Here is my program—the one that works for me. It can be adjusted to fit your lifestyle. DAILY ROUTINE: Breakfast - I start with a bottle of water to rehydrate myself while I throw in my green smoothie in the blender. Sometimes, I literally throw it in because I am always in a hurry. This process takes very little time. My green smoothie consist of almond milk, berries, and IT WORKS GREENS. The greens contain 38 super foods, 8 servings of fruits and veggies to help balance your PH and probiotics. Yes, I am nutritiously set for the day! And, this girl always has to have my coffee. Lunch – Mine is usually light even though it is recommended that this be the largest meal. This does not fit my lifestyle so again, I recommend you do what works for you or you will not stay with it. I always have fresh veggies, fruit and lean protein, and usually some raw veggies. Dinner – Simply combine a lean protein, baked or grilled but never fried, and two vegetables.
Totally simple, right? It really is. Now, if you choose, add the one tool that really helps make this program successful! Along with eating healthy I used IT WORKS weight loss products to speed things up a bit. My IT WORKS plan consists of: The ULTIMATE THERMOFIT which fires up your metabolism naturally, and contains anti-oxidants that provides energy, reduces appetite, boosts metabolic rate and burns an extra 278 calories. THE FAT FIGHTER advances the body’s fat fighter with carb inhibitors. Simply taken up to an hour after having eaten something I possibly should not have, it absorbs carbs and sugars with no side effects. THE ULTIMATE BODY APPLICATOR I used as a wrap as I was losing the weight to tone, tighten, and firm. I had no lose skin as I lost the weight. Whether your goal is to simply be healthier, tone, or lose weight, IT WORKS can give you the results you want. I wore a two piece swim suit on our cruise last summer for the first time in 25 years thanks to the huge success with our products. I am not a public person, not one to draw attention to myself in a crowd. Now, I just share my journey and my blessing. I guess you could say for me to step out of my comfort zone to do this is also a part of my journey.
Man’s best friend isn’t just a statement. Nowadays, it’s fact. Research has shown that living with dogs... any kind of dog...can provide certain health benefits. Dogs can do everything from lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety, to boost the immune system. They can even help us get a date.
We hear stories about dogs that can detect cancer, seizures, and low blood sugar in humans. We also hear new stories of how dogs can reduce work stress, comfort autistic children, and even help veterans overcome the effects of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Findings also show that elderly who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s can greatly have their life improved by a dog’s companionship. Pet therapy programs exist for this very reason. We used to hear stories that having a dog or cat in the home would increase a baby’s risk of allergies. Now it seems this has been proven false. In fact, researchers are now saying having an animal in the home actually boosts a child’s immune system and can even lessen the chances of children having childhood eczema.
Dogs are also good for your mental and physical health. There’s nothing better than a dog’s kiss and kind eye after a long, hard day. Dogs can actually empathize with human pain, lower blood pressure, and help control depression. Also, an attachment to a pet can greatly affect the human body...in a good way! Stress ups levels of chemicals like cortisol that can negatively affect the immune system, bring on heart disease, and cause us to gain weight. Playing with your pooch will help to keep those cortisol levels low and increase the good stuff, serotonin and dopamine, which are known to have a pleasurable and calming effect on the human body. Dogs help you stay in shape, too. Unless your dog is a two pound Yorkie, he will need exercise and so will you. Dogs are a built-in personal trainer who works for treats. Walking your dog is a win-winwin. Both of you get in better shape, maintain a healthier weight, and the quality time with your pooch is simply amazing! Let’s not forget how good dogs are at finding you a love connection...whether you want them to or not. Who needs the Internet when a good dog park will do? A dog is a natural conversation starter. A person’s socialization skills are instantly better with a pet. Pet owners tend to seek one another out, whether it be at an outdoor cafe, special event, or yes, even the dog park. The ice is instantly broken when the conversation about your mutual love of dogs begin. So, why haven’t you gotten a dog yet?
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Stacy Heisserer is the owner of Busch Pet Products & Dog Wash in Cape. They stock a full selection of all-natural pet foods and treats, vitamins and supplements, collars, leashes, toys, beds and pet-related gifts. They carry some of the finest dog and cat foods on the market today. All of their products are allnatural, holistic and do not contain corn, wheat or soy. A self-service dog wash & spa puts the icing on the cake. Each self-service bath includes your choice of shampoo and conditioner, along with a brush and comb, unlimited towels and shammies, ear wipes, smell-good sprays, and fast-dry spray. Each tub is elevated, has temperature regulated water, and a two-speed low heat hair dryer.
According to Wikipedia, CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program with the aim of improving, among other things, muscular strength, cardio-respiratory endurance, and flexibility. It advocates a perpetually changing mix of aerobic exercise, gymnastics (body weight exercises), and Olympic weight lifting. CrossFit Inc. describes its strength and conditioning program as “constantly varied functional movements executed at high intensity across broad modal and time domains, with the stated goal of improving fitness, which it defines as “work capacity across broad time and modal domains.” Hour-long classes at affiliated gyms, or “boxes”, typically include a warm-up, a skill development segment, the high-intensity “workout of the day” (or WOD), and a period of individual or group stretching. So the question is “Is CrossFit right for you?”
y name is Blake Guilliams and I am a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and own CrossFit 573 in Jackson, MO. I am married to my wife April--who is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. We have 3 kids, Lily (10) Gavin (8) and Maggie (5). I am a Veteran of the US Navy having served during Operation Desert Storm and 2 Tours of Duty in Somalia. I was a communications specialist attached an Amphibious Assault Operations Team. While I was deployed overseas--particularly in Somalia--we didn’t have a gym or equipment. We made our own. We did tons for bodyweight movements--push-ups, pull-ups, squats, sprints. We’d fill 5 gallon Jerry cans (water jugs) and carry them up and down the beach. We swam, ran and carried heavy things around. It allowed us to stay in shape and not lose our minds! In 2008 my Dad fell sick. It was a wake up call for me. I was married with 3 kids but in terrible shape. After my military service I worked in the credit and banking industries for 10+ years. I wanted to turn things around.
In 2009 I started CrossFit. It was hard. Ridiculously hard--but I fell in love with it instantly. Within the first 90 days I dropped 30-40 lbs. I changed what I ate, how much sleep I got and focused on getting healthy. The following year we started training people out of our garage. April and I wanted to share CrossFit with anyone and everyone. Eventually, I was training 30+ people out of the garage each week. We needed more room. March 1, 2011 we opened in our current location. We grew and continue to do so today. We will be moving into a brand new facility that is currently under construction by March 1st 2014. Our new building will have over 5000 sq. ft. of training space plus a full kitchen and showers in both bathrooms. Our number one product at CrossFit 573 is Community. Our people are close--like a family. They cheer each other on, pick each other up, and push each other relentlessly. Our members get excited when someone new joins up. They LOVE sharing CrossFit with everyone. Our workouts are intense and there is something very empowering about sharing pain with other people. The sense of accomplishment is amazing. It’s pretty incredible to see the reaction when a 40 year old housewife knocks out her first pull-up or when someone sets a PR (personal record) on their deadlift or a run time. I’ve seen the most amazing friendships develop here. People that had never met but have the common thread of CrossFit. There’s something really special about that. CrossFits is not about the individual. It’s about the guy or girl next to you. It’s about pushing outside of your comfort zone and cheering on the person next to you at the same time. It’s about giving your best.
Our clients cover the full spectrum of backgrounds and abilities. We have beginners--people with no experience with lifting or exercise. We have former athletes, college students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, construction workers. We scale and modify workouts based on each athlete’s ability. I treat everyone like they are at zero fitness level when they start here-there is no expectation except to get better each day. You’ll go 6 -12 months at CrossFit 573 and never repeat a workout. It’s different every day. Staying fit, eating healthy and exercising are important for so many reasons. Reducing stress, maintaing proper body weight, fighting off disease and sickness, and positive mental health are just a few. We tell our clients to give us one hour a day at least 3 days a week and the long term benefits for CrossFit will be tremendous for them--but, more importantly, they will be part of a family that doesn’t judge them and pushes them to be their best.
In 2008, I was approached with a business opportunity by a medical doctor in Dyersburg Tennessee to manage a medical weight loss center. I was pretty overweight at the time, about 50 pounds and decided that if his plan really worked, I would open one in Cape Girardeau. I was able to lose my weight going from a size 16 to a 4 in six months and have kept the weight off for 5 years now. Today, my clinic, Cape Medical Weight Loss is helping our clients not only lose the weight, but with our plan clients have been able to reduce or stop taking blood pressure medicine, cholesterol medications, diabetes medications and several have avoided knee and back surgery because the weight loss has taken pressure off their joints. With new clients we check blood pressure and body mass index on their first visit. We give phentermine for appetite suppression ( if they qualify medically) and have B-12 injections for extra energy and Lipo BC tablets which contain lipolitic enzymes which help with metabolizing fats out of the liver and midsection and help with overall appetite and mood. We have an all natural substitute for clients who do not qualify medically for the phentermine. We require lab work by their second visit: CMP, CBC, Thyroid and Cholesterol. There may be underlying causes for being overweight that they are unaware of. We give them nutrition counseling on their first visit because it is not appropriate to hand out pills if they don’t know how to change their eating habits.
They get food lists, recipes, eating out guides and all the tips and tricks to make them successful. And they have been: our clients have lost over 46,000 pounds in our clinic since we opened in 2009. We offer the free use of an exercise machine called the Vibe Trainer Pro, which gives them a “no sweat” workout in 10 minutes that awakens and uses all the muscles in their body plus improves circulation. We also offer them a 1 month free coupon for Anytime Fitness. Our staff is amazing: friendly, upbeat, supportive and thorough. Our goal is to help you lose weight and to keep that weight off. Fad diets or radical exercise programs can be frustrating because, when you stop those programs, you gain the weight back. We want to educate and assist you in making small gradual changes to your lifestyle that will allow you to change your life forever. Our simple approach is to take small and gradual steps. Our nutrition counselors will focus on one or two simple ideas to incorporate. This allows all of your focus to be on one or two items instead of being told to count calories every day or to eat perfect every day. After 30 days, the counselor will help you focus on one or two other ideas. It takes 30 days to make a habit. We believe that a focus on one thing at a time makes it easier to adhere to that habit. Lastly, we help you believe in yourself. We help you keep a good attitude and smile. Isn’t that what we are are looking for? More info: 573-803-0919
here is many a definition of lovesickness. We all contract this despicable illness at some point in our lives and never forget the experience when we are deeply, madly in love and unable to think or act normally. You find yourself waking every morning, anxiously planning and plotting your next move. You have to see your lover soon or you’ll surely perish. You don’t want to eat, you can’t concentrate, and you can only worry. The pain of separation is heightened by the slightest sound or smell bringing back the memory of the last time you were together. You try to combat the daydreaming, the butterflies in your stomach, the constant thinking “I wonder what she/he is doing right now.” Rational thought is out the window, as you feel you are on the fringes of complete insanity. You fight irrational thoughts the best you can, but in the end you always lose. What if they meet someone else? What if they don’t really like me? What if I do something that scares them off?
And then you turn on the radio. Every song seems to speak directly to you. Even though you are certain that you are the only person to have ever felt this way, the songs somehow know what you are going through. Some roll you tearfully into a fetal position, some make you angry, some make you jealous and all make you lovesick. And why do we want love so badly in the first place? It can be cruel and unkind. The more you get the more you want. It can build you up and it can tear you down. It’s jealous by nature and nearly never fair. It promises nothing and gives all. It relishes failure and guarantees you’ll grow old wishing for it all again. LOVE.