9 minute read
SUPER FOOD
Tomatoes
By Anja Springthorpe
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Tomatoes are remarkable fruits – yes, tomatoes are classified as fruit – packed to the rafters with flavor and nutritional goodness. Amongst the so-called “superfoods,” tomatoes are often overlooked. Yet this inexpensive, flavorsome food should be featured on our plates as often as possible.
Tomatoes contain vitamin C, A and E as well as the minerals potassium and manganese. These nutrients are all necessary for optimal health. Research shows that routine consumption of tomatoes correlates with reduced risk of several serious health conditions, such as heart disease.
Apart from vitamins and minerals, tomatoes provide concentrated levels of lycopene. A powerful antioxidant, lycopene is responsible for tomatoes’ red color and holds a number of health benefits, including reduced risk of stroke, heart disease and certain cancers. Prostate cancer is especially lower in those consistently ingesting this fruit.
But the role of the tomato is ever expanding. In a recent discovery, tomatoes have been shown to decrease the chances of developing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Experts suggest that lycopene may protect against the oxidative stress that causes bone loss, a hallmark of osteoporosis.
TIPS TO BUY, STORE AND PREPARE TOMATOES • BUY: Fresh tomatoes are usually best but aren’t always in season. Canned tomato products still provide good levels of nutrients. Tomato paste specifically contains high concentrations of lycopene. However, be cautious of high sodium content in canned products. Opt for low-sodium alternatives whenever possible. • STORE: Don’t store tomatoes in the fridge. The cold will ruin the taste and texture. A bowl on top of the kitchen counter is the ideal place for tomato storage. • PREP: Drizzle a little olive oil on salads, sandwiches or tomato soups to increase the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamin E, K and A, in tomatoes.
Lycopene holds a number of health benefits including risk reduction of stroke, heart disease or certain cancers
Empowerment
Traditionally, empowerment means giving someone the power or permission to do something, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights. Many of us wrongly allow our power to be determined by others. When we look for permission to live our lives, we are no longer in control of our thoughts, emotions or destinies.
In truth, empowerment comes from within. There isn’t a right or wrong way of being. Accepting your uniqueness is the biggest key to self-empowerment. Give yourself permission to make mistakes, to feel grateful at least once a day and to love yourself.
When we love ourselves, we also empower others. When we love ourselves, we say to the universe, “I am ready to receive my success.” Shifting our thoughts and frequencies to messages of love will instantly transform our lives. As Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.”
You are enough, Liz McGehee "Empowered women, empower women."–Anonymous
From the moment my sister Tami discovered she had breast cancer, she embodied the word "empowerment." She is the inspiration behind our annual Empower Issue, which is always released during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here at Inspire Health, we believe that you are filled with incredible power.
To the women like Tami who continue to radiate strength and motivate others in the face of life’s toughest battle – this issue is for you. We hope these articles empower you to take that one extra step toward healthy living, to stay positive and to care for your body, mind and soul. We also want to invite all of our readers to our ribbon cutting ceremony on October 3 at 4:30 p.m. Here, we will launch our newest, local magazines: Home and Garden Decorator and Moments and Memories. Stop by and speak with our creative director, editor, art department, sales team and co-founders – let us know what inspires you!
I would also like to introduce the newest member of our team, Chad Ruiz! Chad is a talented salesperson, writer, designer and team leader. From local magazines to his accounts, he brings inspiration to everything that he does, and he consistently generates higher ROI for his clients. Welcome to the team, Chad.
Whether it's a parent, sibling, child or even yourself, every reader has been affected by cancer at some point in their lives. Inspire Health is here to support you. If you or someone you know has an inspiring story, share it with us at editor@inspirehealthmag.com or on our Facebook and Instagram page.
Here's to those who inspire us and don't even know it, Suzanne Fox
Inspire Health is a bi-monthly magazine dedicated to women’s health & lifestyle issues. It contains the information and inspiration that encourages healthy lifestyles, positive relationships and support for the environment and community.
ç Suzanne Fox PUBLISHER sfox@igofox.com 504.812.7836
Tami Charbonet
HOUMA/NOLA SALES tami@igofox.com 985.804.9404
Chad Ruiz
Stephanie Edwards
Help us inspire others! We want to know what inspires you to live healthy. You could be published in the next issue of Inspire Health magazine. Email us at editor@ihnola.com.
Find us online!
www.ihnola.com
INSPIRE Staff
Executive Publishers HAL G. FOX & SUZANNE POLK FOX
Section Writers
Cover PATRICIA DANFLOUS
Fitness
TAMI CHARBONNET Health ANJA SPRINGTHORPE Fashion & Beauty WHITNEY ALEXANDRA Kids & Family MICHELE ROBERT POCHE Destinations SUZANNE POLK FOX Editor LIZ MCGEHEE
Creative Team Director DIANNE WALLER Art JENNIFER CABALLERO Design TRA PHAM Web NEAL BOYD
© 2017 Jumpstart Publishing, LLC, New Orleans, LA All rights reserved. Printed in the USA by Fox Print Services (igofox.com)
The information contained in Inspire Health is intended for educational purposes only. A reader should never substitute information contained in Inspire Health for the advice of a health care professional. Jumpstart Publishing, LLC and publishers of Inspire Health, do not endorse or promote any of the products or services described in the pages of Inspire Health and the publishers do not verify the accuracy of any claims made in the editorial or advertisements contained in Inspire Health. Readers should not use the information in Inspire Health for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. Readers should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or have or suspect they have a health problem. IH31-40pg-V3
By Tami Charbonnet
by: Tami Charbonnet
KKate Stark of Houma, Louisiana is the youngest of four sisters. As a mother, it was always important for her 3-year-old daughter, Valentina, and her soon-to-be-born daughter,
Yvette, to understand that women are equal to men and powerful enough to accomplish anything. “I always wanted them to see that, as women, we can juggle multiple things at the same time.
Then, the unbelievable happened. At 34 weeks pregnant, I found a lump in my left breast.” Kate says the cyst was “hard, rubbery and seemingly showed up overnight.”
She immediately underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumor and had it tested. Twenty-four hours after the procedure, her water broke, and Yvette was born fi ve and half weeks early. Kate explains, “I will say that I never imagined
I’d bring a baby home from the hospital and get diagnosed with breast cancer on the same day … But, then again, the real troubles in your life will always be the things that never crossed your worried mind.”
She continues, “But nonetheless there I was, 34 years old, with a beautiful, healthy 4 day old and a new breast cancer diagnosis. I didn't know what to do, where to start. The next three weeks of grueling tests and fi nal diagnosis determinations made me feel like I had gone to war, and my mental well-being was taxed to the max.”
Kate’s inspiring attitude and strong faith shine as she explains her experience in the PET scan machine. “You can't really explain the feeling of entering a PET scan machine until you’re faced with it. But I remember rocking Bruno Mars in my headphones and literally laughing out loud in the chamber while they took the images because really? ... How did this become my reality?”
The most shocking part of her story is that Kate has absolutely no history of breast cancer, and her BRCA gene test results came back negative. It was simply a "random mutation that no one saw coming.” But she is just one of the many young women without any type of genetic predisposition to develop the disease. Doctors at MD Anderson told Kate that they do not know why women under 35 are the largest growing age bracket of new breast cancer cases.
Without a scientifi c explanation, Kate turned to a higher power for answers. As a Catholic, her faith brought her to the realization that “if Mary could watch her son be crucifi ed then surely, I have got this. I went from despising waking up every day and remembering what I had to face, to being thankful for each day I had to fi ght this battle.” Her spiritual awakening made dealing with the process a little easier. “I remember that on the day of my double mastectomy, I had this odd peace. No fear at all. When it was time to start chemotherapy, I remember thinking that it should be mind over matter. I wasn't going to be sick; I could handle the doses. And when I lost my hair, I thought, ‘Oh well, I always wanted to wear wigs and change my hairstyle at the drop of a dime. Here is my chance.’”
Kate’s faith and positive outlook let her create grace and strength out of her greatest fear. She feels blessed to have an amazing family – her loving husband and two, precious daughters. Regarding her husband’s love, Kate says, “He always makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. This disease really strips women of their beauty. To put it bluntly, I cut off my breasts, have no hair or eyelashes and he doesn't bat an eye at that. I can't even use it for sympathy in an argument because he thinks I am some hot, alien woman, ha! But seriously, he is always there to listen to me cry or rant, and he just smiles and reassures me that this is a phase – and it will pass. 2018 is "our year,’" she says .
If anyone can “ROCK” breast cancer, it is Kate Stark, a smart, beautiful, strong warrior from the inside out!
