3 February | March 2017
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4 July | August 2022
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Contents ON THE COVER: Eric & Kellyann Nelsen
Serving the Community Coles Crossing
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8 Family, Church and Giving Back: Nelsen Family Key Life Lessons 10 Stuck in the Middle 14 Ask the Doc: Colon Cancer 15 Best of Cy-Fair: Mango Tree Thai Bistro
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Family, Church and Giving Back: Nelsen Family Key Life Lessons
PINPOINTE RESIDENT PROFILE
By Patricia Hudson
Eric and Kellyann Nelsen are our featured residents of Coles Crossing. A closely-knit family, their lives are filled with weekly sporting events, philanthropic causes, church, and travel adventures. Kellyann shares about her family in this interview. Where did you grow up?
bikes through the woods, picking berries and cooking with grandma. It was the best way to spend the summer.”
Like many with parents in the oil industry, we moved around. Eric lived in London, England; Oslo, Norway; Aberdeen, Scotland; and Cypress, Texas. “I lived in Akron,Ohio; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Yanbu, Saudi Arabia; Humble,Texas, and Cypress,Texas,” shares Kellyann.
I graduated from the University of Houston. Eric graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS in Civil Engineering. Kellyann graduated from University of Houston with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and is certified to teach grades 1-8.
Do you have a favorite childhood memory?
What career path did you follow?
“Living overseas we were able to travel to some amazing places, but my favorite memories are going to my grandparents’ house in Ohio every summer,” recalls Kellyann. “They had about 20 acres and we would spend several weeks at their house visiting family, riding dirt
Eric has worked for Bechtel Corp since graduating. He has been there for 23 years and is currently Global Manager of Estimating. Kellyann began teaching at Spring ISD and worked for them for 8 years. “I was able to stay home once we had kids. In 2013, I went back to work as a long-term sub. I worked at Salem Lutheran when needed, while my kids were in school there until 2019. Then, when Covid hit, I didn’t work for a couple years. I heard what a hard time schools were having getting subs, so this past year, I took a job subbing at Postma Elementary in CyFair ISD.”
Where did you attend college?
It's time to brag about your children. “We are blessed with 3 fantastic kids: Aidan, (20), will be starting his junior year at Texas A&M in the fall-He is majoring in Ag Business and is treasurer of AGR fraternity (During the summer, he is spending his time working on a farm in North Dakota.) Ryan, (17), will be a senior year at Cypress Woods High School. He and I volunteer with Young Men’s Service League and he is a member of NHS. He is busy navigating college admissions and touring universities here in Texas. Savannah, (14), will be starting her freshman year at CyWoods. She keeps us busy with volleyball. She loves playing for her club team at Texas Tornados and is looking forward to playing for her school team.”
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The kids visiting the grandparents
What sports/activities keep your family busy? We are always busy with volunteering and volleyball. Ryan and I enjoyed helping at the Cy-Fair Helping Hands Community Garden. Most weekends include volleyball tournaments either here in Houston or around Texas in Dallas and Austin. We’ve also had trips to Salt Lake City and Orlando. What important life’s lessons have you taught your children? 1. Family- Spending time with family is important and I make a point to travel to take my kids to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. We have family in the Fort Worth area and make several trips there a year. Helping Family- When Hurricane Harvey hit, my mother-in-law’s house flooded. I talked to my kids about the importance of helping family when they need it. The kids worked hard to help grandma clear out her flooded house. Our oldest, Aidan, along with members of his boy scout troop, helped throughout her neighborhood as it was a lot of retired couples. 2. Volunteering- I want our kids to learn that volunteering helps others, but it also helps you to learn about your own community. 3. Church- I have always felt it is important to attend church and for children to grow up learning about the Bible and the love of God. Knowing your own family, community and church, I think, gives kids a strong foundation of who they are and where they come from. What do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
Best Comfort Food in Cypress!
“Eric has a bass fishing boat that he and Aidan enjoy taking out on the rare weekend we don’t have plans. I enjoy butterfly gardening and reading,” comments Kellyann.
Est. 2018
Voted t Best Bu he rg in Cypr ers ess!
“As a family, we enjoy traveling and take a trip every summer. Our favorite travel destination is Hawaii. In March of 2020, just before Covid shut everything down, we traveled to Maui to celebrate our oldest graduating high school, as well as our 20th wedding anniversary. It was a wonderful family vacation. The kids enjoyed everything about it!”
15202 Mason Rd #700 | Cypress, TX 77433 (832) 653-3802 | www.andys.kitchen
Now Open!
27200 Hwy 290 Cypress Tx 77433 PinPointe Magazine
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WE ARE HALFWAY THROUGH 2022.
pivot where ya need to.
TIME TO STAY ON TRACK, OR PIVOT.
Turns out I am not at my one book a month goal. I underestimated how busy this season of my life would be. This is still something I want to achieve, so I am going to shift my focus to audiobooks since I find myself stuck in traffic multiple times in one day. I am not giving up on the goal, just a tiny adjustment to help make sure I can achieve it!
I am not sure if the last 6 months have flown by, or if they have been painfully slow. Some days it feels like a mix of both. We are halfway through this year, so in a perfect world (which we are soo close to living in) we should be making good headway with our goals for this year.
Now let’s get back to reality. I am nervous you might surprise yourself. to even look at my vision board because FULL DISCLOSURE when I said I was if I am being honest, it has been a minute. nervous to look at my vision board, that But the year is not over and there is By Allison Okuneye was the absolute truth. Do you know plenty of time to get back on track! for what? The beauty of adding any and everything to your vision those of you that are going strong, and sticking to your goals board is that you might just do some of the things you forgot and achievements and crushing your resolutions, I am sooo you put on there! I am excited to add some stickers and cross proud of you!! You deserve all of the applause and off the super random goals, and dreams that I totally forgot recognition!! Now is the perfect time for you to take a quick about. glance and see where you are, if you are ahead of schedule, and if you can add a few more goals to finish out the year be kind to yourself. strong...for the rest of us... This season has not been easy for a lot of you. I have seen a celebrate the small wins. ton of unexpected loss, tough diagnosis, and just exhaustion I was very optimistic about my fitness journey this year, and in our community circle. The fact that some of you are still I am definitely NOT at my 3-4 days a week goal, BUT I have here, showing up, and doing your best is MORE than to acknowledge and appreciate the fact that I signed up for enough. If you have the mental space to even go back to a gym and have been going more than once a month...I those original resolutions that is great, but if you are maxed out and just barely breathing, my friends, please don’t add would say once a week (ish). So rather than beat myself up, I am going to place a friendly reminder post it note on my another thing on your plate. Take care of yourself, your bathroom mirror to keep that goal top of mind. community needs you.
10 July | August 2022
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12 July | August 2022
ASK THE DOC:
What are other reasons I might need a colonoscopy?
COLON CANCER It’s predicted that about 106,000 new cases of colon cancer and 45,000 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2022. The rates of Bharat Pothuri, MD, FACG Gastro Doxs being diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer is on the decline, primarily because colorectal cancer screening is being heavily prioritized through colonoscopies. Colon cancer usually begins as precancerous polyps. These polyps are not cancerous themselves, but the cells can morph into cancer later on. If polyps are detected during a colonoscopy, Dr. Pothuri can remove them and prevent them from causing you future harm. Gastroenterologist, Dr. Bharat Pothuri, at GastroDoxs in Houston, Texas, recommends you get a colonoscopy when you’ve reached certain points in your life. He may also recommend the procedure to diagnose conditions other than colon cancer or precancerous polyps.
When do I need a colon cancer screening? It’s time for a colonoscopy if: • You’re older than 45 • You have a personal history of colon cancer or colon polyps • You have a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps, especially if a first-degree relative was diagnosed before age 50 • African-American descent
What are some risk factors for colorectal cancer? • Low-fiber diet • Sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity • Alcohol intake
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• High fat diet • Diabetes
• Smoking
There may be other reasons to order a colonoscopy because you’re at increased risk of developing colon cancer. Your screenings may need to begin earlier than age 45 and happen more frequently. These could be signs of colon cancer and require a thorough investigation for you to get an accurate diagnosis. You may also need a colonoscopy if you’re showing unusual symptoms, such as: • Bloody stools • Rectal bleeding • Unexpected weight loss • Abdominal pain • Weakness or fatigue • Incomplete bowel emptying • Major changes in your bowel habits such as gas, pain, constipation, diarrhea
What health conditions require earlier or more frequent screenings? • History of an inflammatory bowel disease • Personal history of colon polyps or colorectal cancer • Crohn’s Disease • Ulcerative Colitis • Previous radiation therapy for cancer • Inherited family syndromes related to colorectal cancer These factors put you at a higher risk of developing colon cancer. Your likelihood of beating cancer or avoiding it altogether is much greater if you get screened. Don’t wait for signs of colon cancer to get screened! Most cases of colon cancer have no symptoms.
To find out more about whether or not you’re in need of a colonoscopy contact Gastro Doxs today at 832.632.4070 or book an appointment online at gastrodox.com. Dr. Pothuri and his team can evaluate your personal history, family history, and symptoms to guide you to the best screenings and treatments.
Mango Tree Thai Bistro
Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson
by Patricia Hudson
T
ai Phoket left Thailand in 2013, with little more than her five-year-old son. This single mom dreamed of a better life for her young child. When her roommate stole her savings, Tai was desperate. Then she met someone from Bayou City Fellowship Church. “I was Buddhist, and didn’t know anything about God, but they told me to pray. I told God, ‘I don’t know who you are, but I need help.’ Someone wrote a check and we were saved!” Tai was embraced by the church, was baptized, and has become an active member of BCF. She has been enrolled in the English as a Second Language program at the church for four years; in May, she became an American Citizen. “I was so happy because my son and I can stay here and have a good life,” she says. “He is in middle school, now. He is in the orchestra and is a good student,” she says proudly. In 2018, Tai went into the restaurant business with a partner, but by 2019, she became the sole owner of The Mango Tree Thai Bistro. Located in a small strip shopping center, the restaurant is a hidden treasure for Thai food lovers. “I love Thai food, and this really is one of my favorite places for Chicken Yellow Curry," says Gail Mayers. Authentic dishes, fresh ingredients, generous servings, and excellent service attracts customers from around Harris County. Thai food lovers like Lisa Kelly can determine the degree of spicyness they like in their meals. “Customers can choose from six levels, from no spice to Thai Hot,” explains the owner. “The spicier, the better!” comments Kelly as she devours her Ka Pao Basil, a stir-fried meat of your choice with onions, peppers, and green beans, served with Jasmine Rice. The most popular dish on the menu also happens to be Tai’s favorite go-to meal, Pad Thai, stir-fried thin rice noodles with chicken, pork, beef, shrimp or tofu, egg, onions, bean sprouts and ground peanuts in a special sweet sauce.
to order a bowlful, along with a glass of her special Thai Tea on my next visit. I can’t complete this review without my favorite dessert: Fresh Mango with Sweet Rice. Talk about delicious! What a wonderful way to finish a meal! Tai is the consummate hostess, and makes every effort to create a pleasant dining experience. Life as a restaurant owner is not easy. Prices continue to escalate. “I used to buy Coconut Milk for $40; now I have to pay $80,” shares Tai. “I have not raised my prices, but I am afraid that I will have to. I appreciate all of the customers that come to Mango Tree. I am very happy that my church friends come to meet and eat at my restaurant!” Mango Tree Thai Bistro 10130 Grant Road #224 • Houston, TX 77070 (281) 897-8646 • mangotreethaibistro.com
On my recent mid-day visit to Mango Tree Bistro, I ordered the Chef’s Specialty of Thai Pepper Steak with a side of Jasmine Rice. To my delight, I learned that lunch, (11am – 3pm), comes with soup of the day, house salad with peanut dressing, and a fried spring roll. Tai also brought out a tray of steamed chicken dumplings for me to try. It was a good thing that I hadn’t eaten that morning because (I am almost ashamed to say) I ate every last morsel of my lunch! The Pepper Steak was a perfect balance of beef, peppers, and yellow and green onions. I was especially enamored with the Thai Hot and Sour Soup; prepared Chinese style, with bits of tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, egg, cilantro, green onions, fried garlic and black pepper, I am tempted PinPointe Magazine
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16 July | August 2022
