JANUARY 2016
LIVING WELL MAGAZINE™
NEW HELP FOR TOUGH HEADACHES: SOME DOGON FACTS AND PURRRRFECT CAT FACTS
INDOOR GARDENS
A JOURNEY TO FINDING YOUR WORTHINESS
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Welcome to the first 2016 issue of LWM. I hope that everyone survived the holidays. The Jurdy cartoon in this month’s issue, I think depicts what many people are coping with now, but totally worth it…right. When you read this, I am sure that the temperatures could be well below 30 however while writing this, it’s well into the 60’s, in December? Could it actually be attributed to Global Warming? Are you a supporter of the actual scientific evidence that points to Global Warming or not? Either way you have to be wondering what is causing the erratic changes in weather accompanied by record breaking temperatures. I can’t help but think of an article that I read in The New York Times a couple of years ago about certain designers, particularly those manufacturing winter jackets and coats, starting to purchase insurance policies on their winter lines each year to cover a potential plunge in sales due to the increase in temperatures each year. I imagine that for anyone in retail this has become quite the challenge. Retailers purchase their clothing items well before the arrival of each season never knowing what to expect in terms of weather. No longer having the ability to rely on what once was the expected and appropriate seasonal temperature for that season. This may be the reason we see so many retailers such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, amongst many others joining the discount “outlet” markets, giving them a second chance to move product from season to season. Buyers seem to find it perfectly acceptable to find last year’s merchandise in an outlet store and purchase it for less. The key word being less, because in the past, Neiman Marcus would produce a catalogue containing many items from the previous year’s catalogue strategically calling them, “Back by popular demand” and sell them at the original price. I don’t think so. I think most people surmised this too, and could be why they don’t do it anymore. Hence the birth of the outlet stores, coupons, Groupon and more. Neiman Marcus got into the act too, producing a line of “Neiman Marcus” labeled products sold in Target stores. Buyers beware, because while it is absolutely possible to find exquisitely made designer pieces below market price at many of these outlets, there are also pieces that the outlets sell that are mass produced labeled and made for the outlet stores only. This means that you aren’t getting a bargain at all. You’re just paying exactly the price point the item is worth. Be a smart consumer and above all purchase quality products and choose quality services and healthcare, because it is the quality that is most important. That has always been our attitude and you can’t put a price on Living.Well. Thank you for Living. Well …with us, for over 11 years. Oh...and when it comes that you Keep Calm And Carry On...and read! Advertising Inquiries: to those New Year Resolutions, may we recommend Enjoy! Brian and Diane Strauss
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VOLUME 11 NUMBER 01 LIVING.WELL MAGAZINE (ISSN 2325-2448) published monthly by Savendale Media Group, 1519 Old Coach Road Newark, Delaware 19711 Phone:302-355-0929 Fax:302-454-1867 www.livingwellmagazine.net
www.livingwellmagazine.net LIVING.WELL MAGAZINE© is a monthly publication distributed regionally. All articles and advertisements are accepted in good faith. Living Well Magazine assumes no responsibility or liability for any claims, conditions, products, services, errors, and/or opinions expressed through articles and advertisements appearing in this publication. Please check with your primary health care provider before making any changes. Living Well Magazine welcomes your comments and suggestions. No part of LIVING WELL MAGAZINE™ may be reproduced in any form without permission and written consent. Copyright, All rights reserved. 2015 Various Trademarks Used By Permission Of Their Respective Owners
Cover: designed by dcstrauss
puppy love™ Millie giving her “Sneaky Pete” look while enjoying her favorite food, peanutbutter.
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Earth Talk: What green groups think about the outcome of the recent Paris 13 climate talks?
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Sexual Health and Healing: A Journey to Finding Your Worthiness
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The prestigious— Living.Well Magazine Tried and True award is given only awarded to products and companies that we have used and can honestly say they were great! If it has the LWM Tried and True Award on it, we are sure that you will too.
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FYI
HEIGHTENS MENTAL ALERTNESS
AMAZING THINGS
AND MEMORY Next time you’re thinking about picking up a pack of breath fresheners, choose mint over any other flavor. A recent study that looked at chewing gum’s effect on alertness and found that people who frequently use mint-based chewing gum had higher levels of memory retention and mental alertness than those who did not. HELPS WITH INDIGESTION AND GAS Mint is thought to improve the flow of bile through the stomach, which helps to speed and ease digestion. For this reason, peppermint tea is a common home remedy for flatulence and can also relieve pain and discomfort from gas and bloating. CALMS SEASONAL ALLERGIES Mint plants contain an antioxidant known as rosmarinic acid. It a chemical compound found in a variety of plants (but most of them not nearly as palatable and versatile as mint). Rosmarinic acid has been studied for its effectiveness in relieving seasonal allergy symptoms, and it’s been shown to be a promising treatment due to it’s antiinflammatory properties. EASES PAIN RELIEF Next time you’re experiencing a headache or other pain in your body, try heading to the herb garden. Chewing some mint leaves could be just as effective as conventional pain relievers, according to researchers at Newcastle University. Scientists testing the pain relieving properties of Hyptis crenata (otherwise known as Brazilian mint) on mice found that this intriguing plant made into a tea and consumed could be just as effective as synthetic aspirin-style drug Indomethacin
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MINT CAN DO FOR YOUR HEALTH! FIGHTS COLD SYMPTOMS Mint can be effective at breaking up some of the unpleasant symptoms associated with a cold. Bonus: If you have a sore throat, mint can be combined with tea to provide effective relief. MINT HELPS WITH NAUSEA Feeling a little green around the gills? Pluck a few green mint leaves, tear them up in your hands and huff. The strong and refreshing aroma of mint is said to be a quick and effective remedy for nausea. MAKES BREAST FEEDING MORE COMFORTABLE The jury is still out on just the benefits of breast feeding for the health of babies. But the jury is in, however, on mint’s role in reducing the nipple discomfort that women can experience with breast feeding. Peppermint water is effective in preventing nipple cracks and nipple pain in lactating primiparous women, reported a study published by the International Breast feeding Journal. SOOTHES SKIN RASHES Mint can be great for you topically, too! When mint is in an ointment or lotion, it has a calming and cooling effect on skin that’s been affected by insect bites, rash or other reactions. HELPS RELIEVE IBS It’s estimated to affect fully one-fifth of the US population. In 2011, Australian researchers showed for the first time how peppermint can help to relieve irritable bowel syndrome. In their study, they describe how peppermint activates an “anti-pain” channel in the colon, soothing inflammatory pain in the gastrointestinal tract. In treating IBS, it’s important to know peppermint oil must be delivered to the colon to be absorbed.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. They are for information purposes only. January 2016
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January 2016
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The iPad Pro is Apple's largest iPad yet, with a 12.9-inch 2732 x 2048 resolution display, a powerful A9X processor, a super slim design, and a four-speaker audio system. The iPad Pro comes with iOS 9 installed, which features proactive assistance as well as powerful search and improved Siri features, all while protecting your privacy. There are multitasking features designed specifically for iPad which allow you to use multiple apps simultaneously, and built-in apps become more powerful with a redesigned Notes app, detailed transit information in Maps, and the added News
Apple Pencil
app. The foundation of iOS is even stronger with software updates that require less space to install and advanced security features to further protect your device. The Retina Display of the iPad Pro features multi-touch capabilities, Apple does offer alternative ways of interacting with the iPad Pro. The Apple Pencil is an optional accessory that can capture twice as many data points as your finger for greater precision. Force and tilt sensors transmit precise information to the iPad Pro so you can intuitively lay down lines of varying thickness and opacity. The Smart Keyboard is another optional accessory that connects to the Smart Connector on the iPad Pro, which means you don’t have to use Bluetooth. Available in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray. Avail. Apple Store
Apple iPad Pro shown with the Apple Smart Keyboard
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V W
Caricature created by: Liam McWilliams
ALENTINO!
Enter: Where’s Valentino Contest Find Answers Here
ow! There are thousands of readers who are searching for Valentino. He is hidden somewhere on the pages of each issue. The entries keep pouring in. We hope you have fun looking and will continue your quest to find Valentino. When you find him please email us at: info@livingwellmagazine.net [Please type “Valentino” on the subject line or scan the QR Code below]. — keep searching and entering the “Where’s Valentino!” Contest every month for a chance to be entered to win some great gifts, subscriptions, T-shirts, mugs, cookbooks ,books, videos, etc. Or enter on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ LWMlivingwellmagazine (be sure to inbox us so you aren’t sharing his location with everyone), and be sure to like the page first. Please remember to share our page with your friends!
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Below Is The Answer To Last Month’s Where’s Valentino! In the December issue of LWM, Valentino was on the back page sitting on the bar of Two Stones Pub. Valentino has heard us talking about how great their Food and Beer are. Looking for a great place to eat. Definitely add Two Stones Pub to your list. When you find Valentino, send us an email at Info@ livingwellmagazine.net (be sure to put Valentino or Where’s Valentino in the subject line or just scan the QR Code with your smart phone and it will take you directly to an email addressed and ready to go, all you have to do is tell us where he is. Have Fun! AHEEEHAPJDDNJKOMMCOONMLGGKDPBDDIFMLKIILIBPAHEEEHA BNFFFNBPNHMLAHBCEGFKAOAHFHADBPJOBCICACIONPBNFFFNB NHCDMGFPMPENGLFIPCGBDBBADAGNDKIOMKMJKCPMPIJMOKGDL CHOBIFFGCDMEFJNPAAACCBBBCDKCGPMBIKPAFKLNGHEDKCFPD KCNDLOFEHPAGDJHHICJIKEGHKINGCKGEBKLBKHFLBBOFHKHMA DLKIMFFBAOGLJECDFBMPEMENNFILACIIMPNKIEHLMJJJMMMHH BFKLANFMBJEHIEOJBMMEOHANENBEKOMLKLPHHBJNAMFNAJDBL HGLCCFFJJHIHEMOIJCADNKMBNMABKOODHABKOFNKOMEJPABPB BDDMAIFOBCBBKBMFMLOJBANAOJLHHGIGIONFKLPMHPOJGOMMG DEOGDFFOHBFKFGHBFLKNLPIMAFNONDMHKAHHHIBFIFHLDHFPC EFFNNNEHKJHLFBOOHFEOCAAHFHACILHDDCKNKKFMAHFHAOLNJ APBBBPAPIBBENPELBCBGPGAAEBEEDIBOOGPPKDPMCAFBAMMPH HHHHHHHPPHHHPHPPPPHHPPHHPHHPPHHHPHHHHHHPPPPPPHHHH
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What’s the difference between a carbon tax and “cap-and-trade” system for reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Most of us can agree that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a must given the rapid warming of the planet; just how to do it best is another question entirely. The two leading market strategies are a carbon tax, whereby polluters are simply taxed for the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases they spew, and “cap-and-trade,” whereby government sets an overall cap on the amount of greenhouse gases that each industry or sector can emit without penalty and issues permits or allowances accordingly that companies can buy and sell to each other based on their own business and sustainability priorities. Each approach been shown to effectively cut down emissions, but many nations are now weighing which way to go as they prepare to make new commitments as part of the potentially decisive international climate talks (COP21) see next page. Cap-and-trade allows affected businesses to choose how much pollution reduction they can tolerate and then leverage market forces to buy or sell allowances accordingly. Such systems effectively penalize polluters who exceed allowable limits (those who therefore must “buy” credits) while rewarding those who not just meet emissions target levels but get down below them (the difference being what they can then “sell”). Cap-and-trade markets are designed to encourage flexibility in allowing companies to decide how they want to meet emissions reduction targets. Of course, cap-and-trade isn’t a new concept. The first national cap-and-trade market limited emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that were causing acid rain in 1990s. The European Union later launched the first major market in greenhouse gas emissions trading in 2005 in order to meet commitments made under the Kyoto Protocol, the first international treaty to limit carbon emissions. In North America, three regional carbon capand-trade plans have been in place since the mid-2000s (the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Midwest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, and Western Climate Initiative), but there 12
hasn’t been enough political will at the federal level yet to support a nationwide carbon emissions market. Not everyone thinks cap-and-trade is the way to go to reduce emissions. Carbon tax proponents argue that cap-and-trade scenarios can cause unnecessary price volatility to energy prices, are overly complicated, and are easily manipulated by those that learn to game such systems to their advantage without reducing greenhouse gas output. “Carbon taxes will lend predictability to energy prices, whereas cap-and-trade systems will aggravate the price volatility that historically has discouraged investments in less carbon-intensive electricity generation, carbon-reducing energy efficiency and carbon-replacing renewable energy,” reports the Carbon Tax Center. Critics counter, however, that it’s easier for companies to pass the costs of a carbon tax onto consumers by raising prices—and that lower income households bear a disproportionate amount of those economic costs. Perhaps the world’s biggest experiment in carbon taxation ended last year when Australians voted to repeal their carbon tax due to rising costs of living, saving the average household more than $500 a year. Meanwhile, a recent analysis of Norway’s carbon tax—the highest in the world on a percentage basis—found that emissions reductions there were negligible over the first decade of implementation. While both systems have their pros and cons, either can be effective in reducing emissions if there is enough political will behind it. A key component to the upcoming COP21 Paris climate talks is flexibility in allowing participating nations to choose how they want to reduce emissions. Environmental leaders are keeping their fingers crossed that whether through cap-and-trade or taxation, the nations of the world will finally agree on enough greenhouse gas cuts to finally stem the still surging tide of global warming. CONTACTS: COP21, www.cop21.gouv.fr/; Carbon Tax Center, www.carbontax.org EarthTalk® is produced by Doug Moss & Roddy Scheer and is a registered trademark of Earth Action Network Inc. View past columns at: www.earthtalk.org. Or e-mail us your question: earthtalk@emagazine.com.
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January 2016
What green groups think about the outcome of the recent Paris climate talks? In December,195 countries assembled at the COP21 Climate Conference in Paris produced a 32-page agreement outlining goals to phase out industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. All countries agreed on “holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.”
after the release of the final agreement, Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org, said: “Every government seems now to recognize the fossil fuel era must end, and soon. But the power of the fossil fuel industry is reflected in the text, which drags out the transition so far that endless climate damage will be done. Since pace is the crucial question now, activists must redouble our efforts to weaken that industry.”
Each country submitted a voluntary pledge for cutting its CO2 emissions, known as an “intended nationally determined contribution,” or INDC. These pledges are not strong enough to achieve the two degree target, but countries involved are required to monitor and report their emissions data, which will be reviewed every five years, and are expected to update their emissions reductions over time.
Kumi Naidoo, executive director of Greenpeace International, reflected post-Paris that a continued, unrelenting push for clean, renewable fuels by green groups is crucial. “When it comes to forcing real, meaningful action, Paris fails to meet the moment,” Naidoo said. “We have a 1.5-degree wall to climb, but the ladder isn’t long enough… To pull us free of fossil fuels we are going to need to mobilize in ever greater numbers… We will push our beautifully simple solution to climate change—100 percent renewable energy for all—and make sure it is heard and embraced.”
“While the Paris commitments won’t deliver all the emissions reductions that are needed, the agreement provides a framework to ratchet up ambition over time: a transparent system for reporting and review, regular assessments of progress, and strengthening of commitments every five years beginning in 2020,” said Fred Krupp, President of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). “The agreement relies on each nation to enact its own policies to reduce emissions while ensuring that their progress can be monitored by all. We look forward to each country’s work to both meet and build on their pledges in order to finish the hard work of protecting future generations.”
In addition to green group backlash, the Paris agreement was openly condemned in recent press and by former NASA scientist James Hansen, who called it “fraud,” yet some remain optimistic that the conversion to sustainable energy is inevitable. Michael Burger, executive director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, told ThinkProgress: “The leaders of the world recognize that the consequences of noncompliance are disastrous. We are looking at the wholesale transformation of our global climate. The main incentive here for compliance is not the threat of some civil penalty—non-compliance would mean environmental disaster.”
But distant promises standing in for present-day pledges adequate enough to achieve the agreement’s temperature goals have left many green groups disappointed. In a statement issued shortly
CONTACTS: EDF, www.edf.org; 350.org, www.350.org; Greenpeace International, www.greenpeace.org/international; Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, web.law.columbia.edu/climate-change. EarthTalk® is produced by Doug Moss & Roddy Scheer and is a registered trademark of Earth Action Network Inc. View past columns at: www.earthtalk.org. Or e-mail us your question: earthtalk@emagazine.com.
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January 2016
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The NFL will be celebrating Super Bowl 50 by sending a gold football to every high school in the world that produced a player or coach who appeared in a Super Bowl. The league will invite many of the 3,000 players to personally deliver the gold football to their individual high school.
Super 50 Bowl Celebrating Fifty Years Of America’s Greatest Game Forward by Dwight Clark Bethany Bradsher
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PARTY
Chili
2 lbs. (lean) ground beef *Substitutions can easily be made using ground turkey, chicken or a vegetarian meat substitute. 1 whole clove of garlic peeled and chopped 1 green pepper 3 stalks celery (chopped) 1 whole onion 2 large cans of chopped tomatoes 1/2 can tomato paste 2 large cans kidney beans (light or dark) 1 jar of salsa (your choice) 2 tablespoons chili powder (add more to taste) 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (add more to taste if needed) 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons Tapatío Salsa (avail. at most markets) 1 teaspoon coriander 1 teaspoon Adobo Spice salt to taste top with a dollop of sour cream (optional) Brown ground beef in an 8 quart pot, along with the garlic, onion (chopped), green pepper and celery (chopped). Add tomatoes, kidney beans and tomato paste. Followed by all other ingredients. Cook on low heat for at least three hours, but remember the longer you cook chili-the better it tastes. If you are someone that cannot tolerate food that is too hot or too spicy, add less chili powder, red pepper and Tapatio. For those of you who like it “HOT” add more! Makes about 10 servings. Serve over rice and top with shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese (you can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to melt the cheese), top with chopped raw onion or scallions. Dollop sour cream.
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January 2016
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cryotherapy [krahy-oh-ther-uh-pee] The local or general use of low temperatures in medical therapy, to reduce pain and inflammation.
Cryotherapy is exposure to subzero temperatures. Extreme cold stimulates skin sensors, activating a Central Nervous System response. This causes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain inhibitors and mood elevators, while the enhanced circulation activity (blood movement into and out of the core) decreases inflammation by clearing toxins and metabolic waste with a supply of oxygen and nutrient enriched blood to stimulate cellular regeneration (faster healing). Treatments have been adopted by elite athletes and pro teams for muscle and injury recovery In 1978, Japan originally began using cryotherapy to treat rheumatoid arthritis, a concept that eventually spread to Europe, and ultimately inspired the whole-body cryotherapy systems in use today. True to its roots, the treatment continues to be a helpful option for patients struggling with arthritis. For 20 years, Heather Klebon sought relief from the intense, chronic pain of rheumatoid arthritis. “I eventually got used to not doing things because it hurt,” she says. “Following my whole-body cryotherapy sessions, I experienced increased energy, alertness, improved circulation and a huge reduction of pain, especially in the morning when inflammation is usually at its worst. I’ve been able to accomplish the chores I was avoiding.” 16
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January 2016
“After a car accident in June, my ability to find pain relief plateaued and I continued to struggle with low back pain,” says Dana Ardovini, a First State Health & Wellness patient. “After just a few sessions in the cryotherapy chamber, I have zero pain following a treatment and a significant reduction in discomfort for days after. I’m a fan!” While extreme cold has been used to treat inflammation for centuries, it has traditionally taken the form of ice packs, which can be inconvenient and cumbersome or ice baths, which are notoriously time-consuming and uncomfortable. Today, accelerated cold therapy is administered in just three minutes. The patient steps inside an octagonal-shaped chamber, wearing only protective gloves, footwear and minimal clothing, such as a bathing suit. The pre-chilled cryotherapy chamber rapidly fills with nitrogen mist, which drops the temperature to a range of -250°F to -300°F and temporarily lowers the temperature of the skin’s top layer. While cooling, skin receptors signal the brain to release endorphins and blood is drawn to the core. Upon warming, enriched, oxygenated blood replenishes the extremities and stimulates the immune system. All sessions are closely monitored and the patient can exit at any time.
photo: Dana Ardovini
Although originally intended to treat certain medical conditions, professional and recreational athletes alike have incorporated the technology into their regimes, using subzero temperatures to help them rapidly recover from strenuous workouts and injuries. “The whole-body cryotherapy chamber was a quick, convenient way to add cold therapy to my pre- and post-race training for the 2015 Ironman Maryland event,” says Eric Wolf, Certified Personal Trainer and avid tri-athlete. “The treatments helped my body reset itself, significantly reducing my inflammation and soreness, so that I could train harder and recover faster.” While a relatively new concept to the general public, the use of cold therapy has a lengthy history with many benefits. Dr. Tiffany Garcia, DC, a graduate of Life University, serves as lead chiropractic physician and acupuncturist at First State Health & WellnessChristiana. First State Health & Wellness has been providing award-winning integrative healthcare and education for over 30 years. Services among six offices across Delaware include Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Massage, Functional Nutrition, NonSurgical Spinal Decompression and Rehabilitation. Learn more at firststatehealth.com or call 302.633.6335 to schedule an appointment. www.livingwellmagazine.net
photo: Caitlin O’Hanlon January 2016
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Pet Ownership Saves $11.7 Billion in Health Care Costs The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) Foundation announced the findings of a new economic study on the healthcare cost savings associated with pet ownership. The economic analysis, conducted by two researchers from George Mason University, calculated an $11.7 billion savings in U.S. healthcare costs as a result of pet ownership. “There was abundant research to show that pets have a positive effect on our health, but this is the first time that anyone has looked at the impact on the U.S. healthcare system,” said study co-author Terry L. Clower, PhD Northern Virginia Chair and Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University’s School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs and Director of its Center on Regional Analysis. “Our analysis shows that pet ownership produces meaningful savings for total health care costs in the United States.” “Thinking about things that people should do to maintain their health, ‘get a pet’ belongs on that list,” said HABRI Executive Director, Steven Feldman. “When health insurance companies are looking at wellness incentives to keep costs down, pet ownership provides another way for people to stay healthy and save money.” The largest savings was determined based on a lower incidence of physician office visits by pet owners as compared to nonowners. According to the study, 132.8 million pet owners in the United States visit a doctor 0.6 times less than the average nonpet owners. The average cost of a physician office visit is $139. Pet
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owners, in this way, were responsible for saving $11.37 billion in U.S. healthcare costs. Additional savings were calculated for dog owners who walk their dog five or more times a week. This group, totaling more than 20 million people, shows a lower incidence of obesity, and were responsible for saving $419 million in related healthcare costs. While additional health benefits associated with pet ownership have been documented by scientific research, the economists were unable to determine specific cost data associated with those findings. Researchers looked at scientific studies showing a positive impact from pet ownership on infection control, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cholesterol, allergies, stress, blood pressure and psychological issues, and concluded that further economic data was necessary before healthcare savings could be calculated. According to the report, “because this analysis is limited and conservative, the health care cost savings associated with pet ownership is likely to be even greater.” Clower added. The full report can be found on the HABRI website, www.habri.org. “As HABRI continues to fund human-animal bond research, we will look for ways to measure specific economic variables that measure additional health care cost savings,” Founded by Petco, Zoetis, and the American Pet Products Association and supported by a growing number of organizations, the HABRI Foundation maintains the world’s largest online library of human-animal bond research and information; to date has funded more than half a million dollars in innovative research projects to scientifically document the health benefits of companion animals; and informs the public about human-animal bond research and the beneficial role of companion animals in society. For more information about the HABRI Foundation, visit www.habri.org.
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January 2016
SOME DOGON FACTS
“Frito Feet” is the name of the phenomonon in which the bacteria on a dogs paws cause them to smell like corn chips. Dogs’ only sweat glands are between their paw pads. Seeing eye dogs Pee and Poop on command so their owners can clean it up. The usual command is “Get Busy” Male dogs are trained not to lift their legs. Spiked Dog Collars were orginally invented in Ancient Greece to prevent throat attacks from Wolves. There are some 87 million dogs residing in 44 percent of U.S. households. A recent study funded by the Pet Leadership Council revealed that more than one-third of those animals were obtained from friends and neighbors, and one-quarter were obtained from a shelter. Local breeders accounted for 22 percent. The Beatles song “ A day in the Life” recorded by Sir Paul McCartney has an extra high end pitched whistle audible to only dogs for the enjoyment of his Shetland Sheepdog. One of Michael Vick’s former fighting dog went on to become a therapy dog who comforted dying children. Dogs are capable of understanding about 250 words and gestures,and can count up to 5. The average dog is about as intelligent as a two year old child.
The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world.
Bingo is the name of the dog on the side of the Cracker Jack box. 70% of people sign their pet’s name on greeting and holiday cards 37. 58% put pets in family and holiday portraits. The world’s smartest dogs are thought to be (1) the border collie, (2) the poodle, and (3) the golden retriever while the dumbest dog is believed to be the Afghan hound.
PURRRRFECT CAT FACTS
Cats spend a whopping 70% of their lives sleeping.
A cat usually has about 12 whiskers on each side of its face.
Cats have about 130,000 hairs per square inch (20,155 hairs per square centimeter). A cat can travel at a top speed of approximately 31 mph over a short distance. A cat can jump up to five times its own height in a single bound. The most popular pedigreed cat is the Persian cat, followed by the Main Coon cat and the Siamese cat. Senior cats start to experience something like human dementia or Alzheimer’s when they reach an old age, usually around 8. The cats wander around the house a little dazed and confused, which is why they meow constantly. If your cat is displaying these symptoms, experts say it is best to comfort it and provide an extra blanket at night. Female cats tend to be right pawed, while male cats are more often left pawed. Interestingly, while 90% of humans are right handed, the remaining 10% of lefties also tend to be male.
The technical term for a cat’s hairball is a “bezoar.
A cat’s hearing is better than a dog’s. And a cat can hear highfrequency sounds up to two octaves higher than a human. If you’re ever lost at sea, don’t drink the ocean water. The large amount of salt in the water dehydrates humans. Cats, on the other hand, can drink sea water in order to survive. Cats have crazy kidneys that filter out the salt from the water so they can re-hydrate themselves.
Source: Various websites www.livingwellmagazine.net
January 2016
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NEW HELP FOR TOUGH HEADACHES: Does your head feel like it wants to explode? With our increased use of smart phones, hours staring at the computer, and hauling heavy book bags, headaches are more prevalent than ever. The physical, emotional, chemical and electronic stresses we are all under combine to create an abnormal tension and/or position at the point where your head meets your neck. In other words, your head may be on crooked! And pain pills offer only temporary relief. Standard chiropractic techniques can work wonders (I have had success with thousands of patients over the years). In this article, however, I will focus on the toughest cases that tend to be unresponsive to most forms of treatment. — continued on next page 20
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January 2016
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A SEVERE HEADACHE CASE STUDY Several years ago, a women visiting from out of town came into the office with the worse headache pain I have ever seen. Her neck bowed forward, struggling to carry her head’s weight. Her eyes were heavy, as if she could barely keep them open. She was suffering from pain that only comes with an extremely SEVERE headache. I soon learned that this was a part of her regular life. She had already seen a neurologist and was on powerful drugs that offered no relief. I performed a chiropractic adjustment and she felt 10 percent better. She was very happy with the result, but I was left wishing there was more I could have done.
your shoulder slope and/or along the inner border of your shoulder blade. The neck may exhibit stiffness or tenderness when touched. Have somebody take a picture of you from the side. Your ear may be forward relative to your shoulder. If not, take another picture while seated at your work station, on your couch or in your car. Observe again.
Headaches tend to worsen after carrying a school backpack or when looking down at a computer, A year later, she returned with her headache pain raging as usual. smartphone, etc. After a long investigation and a lot of trying this and that, the “Headache Pattern” was revealed. I found several key issues in her neck and upper back that related to one another. The cause of headaches (in most cases) does not originate in the head, but starts with problems arising below. All areas of involvement need to be addressed in a particular order if there is any chance for the pain to shut off or diminish. After making a gentle adjustment to her neck with a chiropractic
instrument and using the instrument to percuss and relieve specific areas of muscular tension, I could see the weight brought on by her pain fall from her face. With the mask of pain removed, I could see the happy person beneath. She looked younger and relaxed. For the first time, she experienced a MAJOR reduction in the severe headache pain that has occupied her life. Thus, a new treatment pattern for headaches was born!
Symptoms range from mild to severe.
Millions suffer from headaches each year in the U.S. alone. Drugs may or may not offer relief, but always come with potential sideeffects. Plus, they do not correct the physical components of the Headache Pattern. Despite what many people think, headaches should never be part of a normal life. If you are in pain and have signs of the Headache Pattern, relief may finally be at hand.
After caring for countless patients suffering from many types of headaches, correction of the pattern proved to be a potent weapon. As observed in my office, 80 percent of people have at least a 75 percent reduction in pain after the initial visit. Some are completely pain-free within minutes. The results are often permanent. Others require periodic care to stave off the headache’s return. Just a few still have me hopeful that more answers will be discovered.
“HEADACHE PATTERN” SIGNS How do you know if your headaches are caused by the “Headache Pattern?” Below is a list to help connect the dots:
Dr. Scott E. Rosenthal is a second-generation Doctor of Chiropractic and a past president of the Delaware Chiropractic Society. His undergraduate degree is in Nutrition and he is a Certified Yoga Teacher. In his Wilmington practice, he offers the cutting-edge Koren Specific Technique (KST) as well as other contemporary and traditional approaches. KST comfortably integrates gentle adjustments of the spine, cranial bones, TMJ, arms and legs (including the wrists and feet). Dr. Rosenthal specializes in pain relief, auto or work injury recovery and natural ways to boost whole body wellness. To contact Dr. Rosenthal please visit rosenthalchiropractic.com or 302-999-0633.
Changing head and neck positions may either increase or decrease the pain.
Take Your Life Back!
A tight and/or painful area (or several) exists along the junction of your neck and skull. A painful nodular muscle spasm may be palpated in
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January 2016
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s t h g i Ins ntriguen Jessee & I By Kare
January is Get Organized Month. Really. The National Association of Professional Organizers says so. I say any time is a good time. I hope you found these 2015 tidbits insightful and intriguing in the arena of organizing. I Dub You the Queen Of…: For some odd reason we are wired to repeat our need for a particular purchase long after that one thing is needed. Whether it’s greeting cards, cookbooks, picture frames, random gifts, or extra food, we are bound and determined to buy more of it and fill up our real estate with it even though we have more than enough of it. If the plastic containers are cascading down upon you, if the bathtub is filled with yarn, and if your closet is a vision of white blouses, you might note that you don’t need more the next time you’re out and about. The Optimist vs. Reality: There are commercials, ads, and stores touting and hawking products designed to get you more organized. Think. Will these products work for you in your home? Are they ridiculous or fussy? Look past the colorful and perfect displays, the catalogues and the well-dressed ladies telling you what you should buy. Analyze your space, your needs and what those products really do. Do not mistake someone’s need to reach into your wallet and their fantasies with the reality of who you are and what will help you find clarity. Shakespeare and the Accountant: For many, nothing gets done until it all gets done at the last minute, including having those taxes ready by April 15. Like theatre, that date is a serious opening night when the actors, costumes, lights and sound better be ready or the reviews will not be good. Have a system throughout the year of capturing and organizing all those receipts, bank and credit card statements so that this task can be taken on early and not leave you crying over a room full of papers on April 14. I Need my Dining Room for the Hedgehogs: There really is a woman out there who rescues hedgehogs and she really does have them organized in her dining room. Who wouldn’t be surprised to learn this! But it is a reality check on how we use our space. People have set up workshops in living rooms, theatres in living 22
rooms, craft rooms in bathrooms, bedrooms in basements, offices in dining rooms. Sometimes to make our space work, we really have to think outside the box. There are no rules. Getting Organized is Not traveling the World. There is a calendar that comes out annually that lists the 1000 places to visit before we die. Clever but daunting. Our budgets and timeframes say maybe a few are possible; the others are just suggestions. And so it is with the organizing books and shows that have you believing that you need a total makeover when maybe thinking, purging, and developing one or two new habits will do the trick. The whole house and total makeovers only happen in an hour on television. Strategies and small bites will get you where you need to be. Organized Men: They Do Exist. For those who have proudly proclaimed that “boys will be boys” in reference to their ability to pick up after themselves, it’s worth noting that some boys grow up to be men who take pride in their ability to organize a home. This pictorial essay showed rooms submitted by different men who lived by the rule, “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Shopaholics: Notable writers and therapists weighed in on the creed, “When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.” There are statistics and tell-tale signs that reveal when shopping has gone from a bit of fun to an addiction. From perpetual lying and bankruptcy to homes that are piled high with purchases, retail therapy can do some serious damage. There is help and there are websites to get people back on track with their homes, finances and the need to have more than they need. Martha Doesn’t Live Here: While there is no denying that this organization, baking and cooking guru can be inspiring, the bottom line is that she is not in your home helping you. Respect her empire, enjoy her books, and delight in her colors and crafting ideas, but for the women who are surrounded by drama and trauma, having real help from a real person is far more valuable than yet another book or magazine.
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January 2016
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No Sniveling and Tip the Maid: A recent trip to Alaska for a writers’ conference inspired an article that asked that you be the conscientious traveler. From being on time and mindful of others and your belongings, to keeping yourself informed and aware of the culture into which you’re now immersed, these insights were designed to help you become the more polite and gracious guest and traveling companion. And by all means, never forget to tip the maid. Note that leaving a few dollars daily is much classier than cleaning out your pathetic pockets at the end.
Free vein Screening
Children: From the words of real moms, setting boundaries and finding real furniture instead of plastic cute kid stuff to hide children’s toys and things seems to be the best way to maintain a home that doesn’t look like a department store threw up all over it. It’s also not a bad idea to recognize when there is just too much and too many and to make some executive decisions about what is age appropriate, what is really being played with and enjoyed, and what is loved a little too much and can be purged. More good advice from moms lives in this article.
Thursday, January 21st 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Your First Step to Beautiful Legs!
The Great Beanie Baby Bubble: Mass Delusion and The Dark Side of Cute: This book by Zac Bissionnette explains not only how Ty Warner went from selling stuffed animals to becoming a billionaire by making his own, it explains how two women from the suburbs of Chicago turned a bunch of tiny stuffed toys into The Next Big Thing, how the people at the top got rich, and how the collectors at the bottom who didn’t get out in time lost fortunes. And if you thought Ty was the only one to make something of inherently little value into his future, there is also the story of Joseph Segal who began the National Commemorative Society, later renamed the Franklin Mint. Just as Beanies were always just meant to be a toy for children, The Franklin Mint was always just a gift shop. Enjoy the fun, the hunt and the beauty of your collectibles, but do so because they tickle your fancy and delight the eye; not because they’re going to make your fortune or your future.
Call (302) 690-0933 To schedule your free screening
It’s a new year. Here’s hoping these bits and insights proved helpful and started you on your own journey to clarity.
Karen Jessee is a professional organizer and founder of Simply Organized. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and the Philadelphia Chapter of Professional Organizers. She encourages people to simplify their lives and works with those who need to downsize and get organized. Karen helps clients make the decisions and create the systems that are best for them. She also teaches the strategies to help clients gain greater clarity, control, productivity and peace. Karen is a public speaker on these topics. Visit her website at: www.nowsimplyorganized.com
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302-737-0857
40 Omega Drive, Building G | Newark, DE 19713 www.delawareadvancedveincenter.com January 2016
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LWM TRENDS 2013 Bee d’Vine Demi Sec Honey Wine 2013 Bee d’Vine Brut Honey Wine
The most sustainable beverage on earth. No uprooted and fragmented landscapes to plant grape vines, no irrigation, no pesticides are used in the growing process. The production of honey pollinates flowers - creating vibrant food crops so we can eat. Honey bees also help to establish lush forests that create the oxygen we breath and that store the water we drink - all while sustaining forest biodiversity (plant and tree varieties, animals big and small, insects, and microscopic organisms). The Honey Wine Company buys local northern California honey from family beekeepers using the most sustainable means of production with beehives placed in organic fields. The spring water well is on the site of our winery so water transport has zero emissions.The bottles come from Italy (750ml and 3L) and Mexico (375ml) because wine glassware in the USA is very limited. Through the purchase of REDD+ forestry carbon credits from Wildlife Works Carbon it helps offset all emissions that they cannot avoid. They have also created Bee D’vine Hives Fund to convert inefficient traditional beehives into modern ones that can produce seven to ten times more honey. The company hopes to contribute a percentage of their profits to the Beehive Converversion Fund in the future. www.beedvine.com
Intentional Living Choosing a Life That Matters by New York Times Bestselling
Author John C. Maxwell In INTENTIONAL LIVING, John Maxwell will help you take that first step, and the ones that follow, on your personal path through a life that matters.
Pique Tea Crystals
Handcrafted from organic whole leaves by our Tea Master. Pique Tea Crystals are an exquisite, nutritious tea in a modern sachet. Just pour, stir and go. piquetea.com
NeoStrata Skin Active Antioxidant Defense Serum Protect your skin from future signs of aging with a serum that boosts skin’s defense against oxidative damage. Concentrated SynerG 8.0 formula containing 8 powerful multiaction antioxidants is designed to combat oxidative damage and protect the skin from premature aging. Patented Bionic and Polyhydroxy Acids trap oxidation promoting metals and help prevent sun-induced cellular damage. Citric Acid, Lilac, Green Tea, and Chardonnay Grape Seed Extracts work together to neutralize free radicals and help preserve healthy DNA, lipids, and cellular membranes www.neostrata.com
The World Almanac And Book of Facts 2016 www.WorldAlmanac.com 24
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January 2016
shopbydesign Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini Classic
Linosa leather bag with adjustable shoulder strap and gold signature inverted stud detail. Silver embossed Proenza Schouler logo underneath flap with snap closure. Logo jacquard interior lining. One interior compartment with leather trimmed inner zip pocket with turnlock closure. One outer zip pocket. Made in Italy. www.proenzaschouler.com
...thoughts of spring
Women’s Vionic Fyn Active Sneaker
Boosts a sturdy EVA midsole adding stability to a sleek active sneaker. With an improved rubber tread for added traction, contrasting ombre laces and breathable mesh upper with a hint of stretch.Vionic active footwear features Active Motion System (AMS) technology, combining a podiatristdesigned orthotic with a flexible, cushioned outsole and a lightweight, breathable upper. Recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil. www.vionicshoes.com
Stella McCartney ‘Lara’ Broderie Anglaise Detail Cap Sleeve Dress
Broderie anglaise insets encircle the fluid skirt and accent the shoulder and nipped-in waist of an effortlessly elegant dress from Stella McCartney. Made from a light cotton blend, the look is detailed with darts front and back, giving the bodice a tailored feel that perfectly complements the airy skirt. Available for pre-order at Nordstrom
Men's Breton Stripe Cashmere Crewneck Sweater An updated fit creates a cleaner, more modern cashmere sweater. Layers well over a dress shirt or under a blazer. The weight is perfect for year-round wear. www.landsend.com www.livingwellmagazine.net
January 2016
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A Journey to Finding Your Worthiness
2016 Reso
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
lutions
Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life paralysis.
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January 2016
—Brené Brown
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You’ve probably already read several articles about making New Year’s Resolutions. Perhaps you spent the end of last year reflecting on everything you hate about yourself or your life that you plan to work on this year. Maybe you’ve even written a list? If you’re someone who has been thoughtfully creating a list of all of the things you want to “fix” about yourself this year, than this article is definitely for YOU.
in our effort to change. In her work, Brené Brown suggests that in order to do this, we must explore the power of love, belonging, and being enough. She identifies “worthiness” as the key to this self-exploration.
“When we let go of what other people think and own our Take a minute to read the quote above and really let the reality of story, we gain access to our worthiness—the feeling that those words sink into your mind. Striving to be perfect actually we are enough just as we are and that we are worthy of “hampers success.” To make matters worse, Brown’s research love and belonging. When we spend a lifetime trying to has shown that perfectionism is the path to “depression, anxiety, distance ourselves from the parts of our lives that don’t addiction, and life paralysis.” The irony of this is that the typical fit with who we think we’re supposed to be, we stand lists of New Year’s resolutions can likely be broken down into one of those four categories. The most common resolutions outside of our story and hustle for our worthiness by are: lose weight, save money, become more organized, improve constantly performing, perfecting, pleasing, and proving. health, improve relationships; and find a partner to begin a Our sense of worthiness—that critically important piece new relationship. Thus, in ones efforts to be thinner, wealthier, that gives us access to love and belonging—lives inside of organized, healthy, mindful of relationships and happier with our story” (p.23). their life—the rigorous pursuit of these things may actually be more harmful than helpful.
This doesn’t mean that I don’t believe we should all strive to become a better version of ourselves. To the contrary, I believe we should always strive to be our best self. I agree that it’s important to look at your past and your present and decide who you want to be in the future. There may in fact be things in your life that need to change in order for you to become that person. In Brené Brown’s book, “The Gifts of Imperfection” she identifies Courage, Compassion, and Connection as being the cultivators for living a life where one feels that no matter what, they are enough. She explains that courage, compassion and connection are the tools we need in order to have and feel love, belonging, and worthiness. After an incredible amount of research, she found that “only one thing separated the men and women who felt a deep sense of love and belonging from the people who seem to be struggling for it. That one thing is the belief in their worthiness” (p. 23). The first time I read those words I thought, Yeah…I think it would be a lot easier to just lose the twenty pounds than work on the belief in my worthiness…the belief that I am enough, just as I am right now? Definitely not…I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I couldn’t begin to imagine the time, effort and money spent on years of therapy that it would take to work on what she was suggesting. I did, however, have a pretty good understanding of what it was going to take to lose twenty pounds—in fact, I was an expert at it, as I’ve gained and lost those same twenty pounds so many times! And there’s the “ah-ha” moment.
When I first read that paragraph in 2010, I read it several times, highlighted it in her book…I even printed out the quote and hung it on my wall. I had never considered worthiness to be part of the equation. After all, I believed that I had very good self-esteem, I was proud of my accomplishments; I had a loving relationship, etc. What did worthiness have to do with anything? I read the quote again and again. I wrote down my personal goals, for example: “I want to finish my PhD. I want to have a successful private practice. I want to lose twenty pounds (again).” I read the quote again and it was true—all of the goals on my list were related to performing, perfecting, pleasing, and proving. The problem is, I didn’t feel like I wanted these things for anyone else, I wanted them for myself…right? [Enter Brené Brown’s voice in my head here]. Yes, but why do you want the PhD? I answered, “Because it was “only” four more classes, doctoral exams, and a doctoral dissertation to get it, so why not just do it?” You could have just graduated with the double masters degrees and saved yourself the time and heartache. What made it worth the effort? “I think that people have more respect for a psychotherapist who has a PhD.” Yes…so I’ll ask again, why do you want the PhD? Sh*t. Imaginary Brené Brown in my head was right. There were many reasons I wanted to complete my schooling with a PhD, but among them was the worth that people attach to someone having that degree. Thinking about it in this way changed the way I started thinking about all of the goals I had set for myself.
We have to dig deeper. We have to look beyond the surface of what we’re trying to achieve and focus our attention on why we want to achieve and what stops us from being successful — continued on next page www.livingwellmagazine.net
January 2016
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— continued from previous page
Cultivate Intuition and Trust Faith: Let go of the Need for Certainty
She shared several common examples, including: I’ll be worthy when I lose 20 pounds. I’ll be worthy if everyone thinks I’m a good parent.
Cultivate Creativity: Let go of Comparison
I’ll be worthy when I can make a living selling my art. I’ll be worthy if I get/stay sober. I’ll be worthy when I make partner. I’ll be worthy when my parents finally approve.
Cultivate Play and Rest: Let Go of Exhaustion as a Status Symbol and Productivity as Self-Worth
I’ll be worthy if s/he calls back and asks me out. I’ll be worthy when I can do it all and look like I’m not even trying. I encourage you to read her book for the entire list. However, in the examples given here, the list corresponds quite clearly with the most commonly made New Year’s resolutions (minus the “I’ll be worthy if ” part, of course). This is obviously not a coincidence. Her research is based on thousands of participants, both male and female from all across the United States. So…how do we get from where we are to feelings of worthiness? How do we embrace our imperfections? (Aside from reading and rereading her book; which I highly suggest). I’m going to be radically honest with you, this work is not easy. Nor is it accomplished in a set amount of time. She offers ten “Guideposts” to help us along this journey. For anyone reading this that has a list of New Year’s Resolutions, I challenge you to throw out that list and replace it with these ten “Guideposts” instead. In 2016,
I WILL: Cultivate Authenticity: Let go of what people think Cultivate Self-compassion: Let go of perfectionism Cultivate a Resilient Spirit: Let go of numbing and powerlessness Cultivate Gratitude and Joy: Let go of Scarcity and Fear of the Dark 28
Cultivate Calm and Stillness: Let go of Anxiety as a Lifestyle Cultivate Meaningful Work: Let go of Selfdoubt and “Supposed to” Cultivate Laughter, Song, and Dance: Let go of Being Cool and “Always in Control.” As I said, I first read her book in 2010. I am still working on these ten “resolutions” toward creating the life I want to live and embracing the person that I am—as is. It has been quite a journey and one I hope to inspire many others to take. If you’re unhappy, depressed, anxious, lonely, unhealthy, etc., I believe that the work you need to do may lie in cultivating these ten guideposts as part of your daily living, thinking, and being. Happy New Year Everyone!
Sexual Health and Healing with Dianna Palimere, PhD, LCSW Dr. Dianna Palimere is a Psychosexual Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been in the field of mental health for the past 14 years, dedicating the past seven years to specializing in clinical sexuality. She holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology, a Masters degree in Social Work, a Masters degree in Human Sexuality Education, and a PhD in Clinical Human Sexuality. Utilizing a holistic approach to therapy, she incorporates a variety of clinical interventions in her work with individuals, couples, and families. She is devoted to helping people achieve sexual health and healing through her work as a psychotherapist in her private practice in Pike Creek, DE; as well as in her work with local nonprofit organizations. To learn more about her or to schedule an appointment, visit her website: www.SexTherapyInDelaware.com or email her directly at: dr.palimere@sextherapyindelaware.com Join us on Facebook, keywords: Sex Therapy in Delaware.
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January 2016
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month
What Is Cervical Cancer? Cervical cancer starts in cells lining the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb). It is sometimes called the uterine cervix. The body of the uterus (the upper part) is where a fetus grows. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). The part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the endocervix. The part next to the vagina is the exocervix (or ectocervix). The 2 main types of cells covering the cervix are squamous cells (on the exocervix) and glandular cells (on the endocervix). The place these cell types meet is called the transformation zone. The exact location of the transformation zone changes as you age and with childbirth. Most cervical cancers start in the cells in the transformation zone.
These cells do not suddenly change into cancer. Instead, the normal cells of the cervix gradually develop pre-cancerous changes that turn into cancer. Doctors use several terms to describe these pre-cancerous changes, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), and dysplasia. These changes can be detected by the Pap test and treated to prevent cancer from developing. Source: American Cancer Society
Risk Factors For Cervical Cancer Include: Many sexual partners. The greater your number of sexual partners and the greater your partner's number of sexual partners, the greater your chance of acquiring HPV. Early sexual activity. Having sex at an early age increases your risk of HPV. Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Having other STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV/AIDS increases your risk of HPV. A weak immune system. You may be more likely to develop cervical cancer if your immune system is weakened by another health condition and you have HPV. Smoking is associated with squamous cell cervical cancer. Source: Mayo Clinic
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January 2016
In January NCCC local chapters around the country hold cervical cancer awareness events in their communities to educate about HPV and cervical cancer prevention. Chapter leaders participate in community health fairs and national conferences, host educational events at local colleges and community health centers, organize awareness walk/run events, softball tournaments, nature hikes, yoga classes, and a host of other events where they promote the importance of cervical cancer screening and early detection, HPV vaccines, and more. Source: National Cervical Cancer Coalition
To Reduce Your Risk Of Cervical Cancer: Get vaccinated against HPV. Vaccination is available for girls and women ages 9 to 26. The vaccine is most effective if given to girls before they become sexually active. Have routine Pap tests. Pap tests can detect precancerous conditions of the cervix, so they can be monitored or treated in order to prevent cervical cancer. Most medical organizations suggest women begin routine Pap tests at age 21 and repeat them every few years. Practice safe sex. Using a condom, having fewer sexual partners and delaying intercourse may reduce your risk of cervical cancer. Don't smoke. Source: Mayo Clinic 29
WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING REALISTIC RESOLUTIONS
Smart Goals: Have a plan for success, stick to it and stay focused even if “life” tries to derail you.
The most popular New Year’s Resolution made year after year is to get in shape and take off the extra pounds piled on from the holidays. It’s a common resolution because it’s a common problem shared by a lot of people. Every year everyone who makes this resolution only has good intentions and has every intention on sticking to a plan to do things differently this year to ensure their success. Unfortunately, by the middle of the month New Year’s Resolutions have very quickly become a part of history.
Be Patient and Trust the Journey: Take it one day at a time. Experts say it takes about 21 days to form new habits and about 6 months to make them part of who you are. Try to stay committed and continue to applaud yourself for each positive change you make.
Why does this happen year after year? Because people decide to make too many changes all at once, forgetting that these changes will not prevail in an overnight transformation. The things that you are trying to change or fix certainly didn’t materialize overnight. If you set realistic goals in a realistic time frame, you will have success.
Keep Moving Forward: When you start losing motivation and you fall off - JUMP back up, brush yourself off and START OVER. Give yourself 24 hours to feel sorry for your misstep then get right back to it. As time goes on your missteps will get less and less and before you know it, you will start having successes and your goals towards living a healthy lifestyle will become a reality.
Try making your 2016 Resolutions successful with some helpful tips:
The journey is never easy and there will always be obstacles to overcome, but keeping a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with a good support team can make the difference…this year.
Attitude-is everything! Start Small and Be Realistic: Make small weekly changes. Set small bite size goals. Small steps turn into big accomplishments. (For example, drink 4 glasses of water, walk for 10 minutes 3x a week and you will see and feel results almost immediately.)
Plan Ahead: Join an exercise group, hire a personal trainer, start going to a gym, and find a nutrition program that sounds feasible. Research, review, and take your time searching for options that look like the best options for you and your particular lifestyle. 30
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Alisa Rose is Founder and President of Art Fitness. Art Fitness is commitment to providing a personalized atmosphere that eliminates intimidation and promotes success. Art Fitness is dedicated to improving the movement of one’s body and restoring quality of life through proper exercise, correct form and good nutrition. The Art Fitness team can be reached at: 302.477.0123, or info@ArtFitnessTraining.com Stay up to date with all things fitness: Facebook.com/ ArtFitnessLLCFollow Art Fitness on Twitter: @BdyIsaWrKoF_ART January 2016
Balancing Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions Happy New Year! January is a time for new beginnings. Hopefully your resolutions are still going strong. If you are determined to get healthy this year, you are not alone. Weight loss, healthy eating, and getting fit can be some of the goals for the year. Unfortunately, studies show only a small percentage of people who make resolutions are able to keep them. Maybe this year, you will be able to prove those studies wrong! Health Goals There are many aspects to improving your health, and this can be a large goal. This is often the case with resolutions. You can feel like you have failed, if you have not achieved your goal in a couple weeks. However, with a little progress at a time, you could reach your desired result. By making goals that are easier to reach, many may not give up before February. For example, more sleep could provide the energy needed to exercise, or small diet changes may lead to better decisions as the year continues. Acupuncture and Balance Chinese medicine is useful in promoting overall wellness. Acupuncture is a type of treatment that accounts for the whole body. It promotes balance in the system, which improves function. Proper function could be what is necessary to have the motivation or energy to keep resolutions going all year. Get More Energy Do you have the trouble of not having enough energy to get to the gym? Acupuncture works to boost the Qi of the body. Correct Qi movement could cause an increase in energy, making the trip to the gym easier! There is a point on the leg called Zu San Li, which translates as leg three miles. It is said this point could be used to have the ability to walk three more miles. Better Sleep Sleeplessness can also cause a lack of energy. Insomnia can be treated with acupuncture by helping the sleep and wake messages in the brain. Needles can be placed in areas to www.livingwellmagazine.net
decrease frequent waking or to improve the ease of falling asleep. Frequent dreaming can also be a reason to not feel rested when waking. Acupuncturists ask many questions to determine the reasons for lack of sleep or frequent dreaming. This can decide the type of treatment you receive to promote sleep and energy. Decreased Pain Is pain keeping you from reaching your fitness goals? Acupuncture is very effective at decreasing pain in joints. Needles may be placed at areas above and below your pain to promote proper Qi and blood movement. This can decrease pain and get you to move better and be on your way to achieving your resolutions! Acupuncturists may also suggest less strenuous activities that will keep the Qi moving to allow you to exercise without pain. Diet Therapy Eastern dietary therapy is also a component of acupuncture treatment. Your acupuncturist may suggest certain foods for you to eat per your constitution or body type. She or he may also suggest foods to avoid that may be affecting your energy level, sleep, or pain level. Acupuncture can also help decrease food cravings and promote proper digestion to improve weight loss. Reach Your Wellness Goals Acupuncture can treat all of the above complaints and whatever else may be keeping you from achieving your resolutions. Schedule an acupuncture appointment today to improve your chances of keeping and reaching your new year’s resolutions!
Dr. Kelly Brown is a chiropractor and acupuncturist with Pure Wellness. She received both a Doctorate in Chiropractic and a Masters in Acupuncture from New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, NY. Dr. Brown is a life-long resident of DE and is glad to be back in the area serving the community. You can contact her at the office 302.365.5470 or through the website: www.purewellchiro.com January 2016
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HANDS ON HEALTH by: Ann Wilkinson P.T.M.S,
Q:
Q:
I fell on the ice two years ago and have been in How can meditation be used as a tool for healing agonizing pain since. I have been to every type of doctor chronic pain? imaginable. When I refused pain pills due to intestinal complications and injections really did not work, I was told Meditation is a skill that when practiced with discipline by my doctors that there was nothing other than steroids and devotion can transform your life. Transfiguration by and pain pills that could help me. superimposing higher frequency thoughts override negative
A:
After reading your column in LWM ,I called you as my last hope. In my first session you immediately put me in a strange position, had not touched me yet and the pain left completely for the first time. I am baffled as to why none of my Doctors knew that I was “shifted”. How is this possible? What can I do to inform the doctors know there are other avenues for people in pain?
A:
First forgive your doctor as they are bound by Standards of Practice. Sometimes the Standards of Practice may not be the most effective route for you. I personally will let my doctor know if I have found something that helped because Doctors are human too. Everyone needs to learn and wants to learn, it is the spice of life. Most doctors are very receptive. In fact, you might make their day. Unfortunately, most patients come in passive and not well informed. Show up different, share your knowledge. Over the years, the attitudes of conventional medical practices are transforming drastically. One of the times you share, you will be the patient they respect and may ask your opinion on something they just discovered. Share your knowledge with the public. Word of mouth, testimonials and public speaking at support groups. There is a great amounts of unnecessary suffering, Patients need to take more responsibility for their well-being by being well informed about their options.
thoughts. Expansion and knowledge dissolve limitation and obstacles. A simple five minute meditation can relax muscle tissue, increased blood flow and improved state of mind. Release is experienced on a physical level as well as an emotional level and mental level through Meditation. Releases allows space for new possibilities on all realms. Release of the “monkey chatter” of the mind causes decreased heart rate and increase depth of breath. When the Breath is deep and slow, oxygen can flow freely to all aspects of the body. Tissues can receive healing because there is a space for it to occur. Increasing duration and frequency of meditation can allow one to transcend feelings of physical as well as emotional pain. Intention and Energy creates connectedness. Being present in the now moment fully, is where all creation occurs. Create healing for Yourself.Go Within to find it.
Ann is an award winning writer,teacher and speaker. Ann is the personal body worker of Her Holiness “Sai Maa”. Ann practices osteopathic physical therapy. Ann is also an expert on the use of healing foods, homeopathic and herbal consultations, and therapeutic horseback riding. Ann treats her patients in a beautiful country setting which enables her to utilize all of her learned skills as well as some of the healing properties that only Mother Earth can bestow. Ann is available by appointment. Book online at www.handsonhealthde.com. The farm is also available for birthday parties, women’s circles, and retreats.
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January 2016
Q:
My friend was having holiday dinner with his family. Their cat, a 10 year old named Cindy, got into some of the gravy in the pan and finished it off. There may have been one or two tablespoonfuls left in the pan. The cat became very lethargic quickly and started to vomit frequently. My friend took her to the emergency veterinarian soon after (of course, his veterinarian’s office was closed as it was a Sunday night). The doctor asked a multitude of questions. One question was if any onions had been used in the preparation of the meat or the meat gravy. The veterinarian suspected it was onion toxicity and recommended a work-up, including a complete blood count and serum chemistry levels. Why are onions toxic to cats? How serious a condition is this?
A:
Your friend did the right thing by getting her to the veterinarian quickly. It just may have saved her life. Time after ingestion is critical and can make the difference between life and death. Many of us enjoy onions in our food. Onions can be found in pizza, tomato sauce, certain baby foods and Chinese food. Onions can be found growing in the wild and also in some medicinal supplements. Cats are so sensitive to onions that if they ingest baby food that has onion flavoring in it, they can become toxic. This is why it is imperative to READ LABELS. Many pet owners have used baby food to give their cat if, for example, if their appetite is decreased or if attempting to medicate the pet by mixing it with baby food. Onions, as well as, chives and leeks, are part of the Amaryllidacea family and the genus Allium. Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate. Thiosulphate is extremely toxic to cats, as well as, dogs. Actually, some breeds are more sensitive, for example, the Akita and Shiba Inu. Toxicity can occur if the onion is in the form of a powder, dried or fresh. Onions are toxic to cats at a dose of 1 gram per 5 pounds. This applies if the onions are cooked or raw. Additionally, cats can become toxic if they ingest very small amounts over time. This is why it is very important to give your
veterinarian a good history, even if you think the information is not important. He or she will do their physical examination and order blood work, a urinalysis and other diagnostics as the veterinarian sees fit. Ingestion of onions causes a condition called hemolytic anemia, in which the red blood cells are damaged or destroyed and basically rupture, releasing its contents into the bloodstream. Hemolysis is the breaking down of the circulating red blood cells. Another sign of onion toxicity can be seen on a blood smear. What’s observed under the microscope is called Heinz bodies. Heinz bodies are inclusions within the red blood cell composed of damaged hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. Low red blood cell levels result in anemia, hence, the condition of hemolytic anemia. As a consequence of the anemia, cats can exhibit lethargy, weakness, exercise intolerance and collapse. If the cat is severely anemic she may need a blood transfusion, oxygen and intravenous electrolytes. Additional symptoms may develop that effect the gastrointestinal system. These include nausea, oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate and abdominal pain. Even the urine can give clues to diagnosis because the breakdown of red blood cells can cause a port wine colored urine. It is also important to know that onion toxicity and its symptoms may not show up for two to four days, so be a good observer and give your veterinarian as best a history as possible. Treatment is basically supportive. If the condition is severe, hospitalization for a number of days may be necessary. The Pet Poison Helpline is a 24 hour animal poison control service that can help both pet owners and veterinarians in need of assistance. The telephone number is 855-764-7661. It’s always a good idea to have this number and your veterinarian’s number in a location that is easily accessible.
Dr. Rose DiLeva is a 1987 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s school of Veterinary Medicine. She practices alternative and conventional veterinary medicine. Dr. DiLeva is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and a certified veterinary chiropractitioner. She can be reached at her Animal Wellness Center in Chadds Ford, Pa. at 610-558-1616 for appointments and telephone consultations. Her web site is www.altpetdoc.com and www.drrosesremedies.com
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January 2016
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Richard Louv’s introduction to Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
[
[
“This book explores the increasing divide between the young and the natural world, and the environmental, social, psychological, and spiritual implications of that change. It also describes the accumulating research that reveals the necessity of contact with nature for healthy child—and adult—development.”
What Is Your Nature MDR? Two giant rhododendrons flank my front door and brush above the second floor gutter. They tell me the outside temperature. The colder it is the more tightly rolled are their long leathery evergreen leaves. Two and a half inches wide, they curl their undersides into half-foot Tiparillos. They do this to conserve water loss when the frozen ground inhibits absorption through their roots. When it’s windy along with the cold they actually clatter in their clusters sounding a little like castanets. Four months from now, because they don’t have to grow a whole new mantle of leaves, they will explode into cantaloupe-sized magenta balls of blossoms, creating a magical bower through which I enter and leave my home. Nature MDR/RDA I will be naked then, as I am now every morning for my fresh air plunge, regardless of the temperature and weather conditions. Whooping and hollering, I drown out rhodo rustlings for three to ten minutes of bilateral striding, marching, trotting in the yard or bilateral bouncing on a mini trampoline on the porch. “It is amazing how rhythmic movements of feet and legs are so intimately attached to cobweb cleaners in the brain,” writes Ann Wilson Schaef in today’s reading about healing benefits of a long daily walk outdoors (Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much, Harper Collins Publishers, NY, 1990.) That’s only part of my Minimal Daily Requirement or Recommended Daily Allowance of outdoor Nature activity. After getting dressed and eating, an 34
hour and a half to three hours outdoors most days using my larger muscle groups with some vigor helps to keep all of me working well physically, mentally and spiritually. Scientific Research Does it surprise you that I consider interaction in Nature as important as meeting minimal daily nutrition requirements? Recent scientific research “indicates that direct exposure to nature is essential to physical and emotional health,” writes Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, NC, 2005) author of seven books about family, nature and community. Enormous Health Implications “A widening circle of researchers believes that the loss of natural habitat , or the disconnection from nature even when it is available, has enormous implications for human health and child development,” reports Louv. “They say the quality of exposure to nature affects our health at an almost cellular level.” Being naked, however, is my own idea. Integral Biological Need Louv elaborates on this research. Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University naturalist and Pulitzer-prize winning author, and his colleagues declare “that humans have an innate affinity for the natural world, probably a biologically based need integral to our development as individuals…. Over two thousand years ago,
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Chinese Taoists created gardens and greenhouses they believed to be beneficial for health. By 1699, the book English Gardener advised the reader to spend ‘spare time in the garden, either digging, setting out, or weeding; there is no better way to preserve your health.’ Historic Antecedents “In America, mental-health pioneer Dr. Benjamin Rush (a signer of the American Declaration of Independence) declared, ‘digging in the soil has a curative effect on the mentally ill.’ Beginning in the 1870’s the Quakers’ Friends Hospital in Pennsylvania used acres of natural landscape and a greenhouse as part of its treatment of mental illness. During World War II, psychiatry pioneer Carl Menninger led a horticulture therapy movement in the Veterans Administration Hospital System. In the 1950s, a wider movement emerged, one that recognized the therapeutic benefits of gardening for people with chronic illnesses. In 1955, Michigan State University awarded the first graduate degree in horticultural/occupational therapy. And in 1971, Kansas State University established the first horticultural therapy degree curriculum,” writes Louv building a case to establish a new listing—nature-deficit disorder—in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and in the medical Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Nature-Deficit Disorder “Nature-deficit disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses. The disorder can be detected in individuals, families and communities. Nature deficit can even change human behavior in cities, which could ultimately affect their design, since long standing studies show a relationship between the access, or inaccessibility, of parks and open space with high crime, depression, and other urban maladies.” Positive Connection Louv encourages us that “by weighing the consequences of the disorder we can also become more aware of how blessed our children can be—biologically, cognitively and spiritually— through positive physical connection to nature.” So, bundle up the kids and step outside for a brisk walk. Hats, mittens, scarves, thick socks insure comfort enough so that as some point, warmed by moderate physical activity, you can all sit quiet and comfortably listen at least ten minutes for some winter sounds like clattering rhododendron leaves or chittering beech leaves or a neighborhood dog or an owl hoo-hooing amidst street and air traffic. Star gaze at night and identify cloud creatures by day. Vigorous or sedate, a half hour outdoors has vast restorative powers.
Thoreau’s Entertainment Squirrel watching delighted Henry David Thoreau 170 winters ago at Walden Pond. “All day long the squirrels came and went, affording me much entertainment by their manoeuvres [sic]. One would approach at first warily through the shrub oaks, running over the snow crust by fits and starts like a leaf blown by the wind, now a few paces this way, with wonderful speed and waste of energy, making inconceivable haste with his ‘trotters,’ as if it were for a wager, and now as many paces that way, but never getting on more than half a rod at a time; and then suddenly pausing with a ludicrous expression and a gratuitous somerset, as if all the eyes in the universe were fixed on him, —for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl, —wasting more time in delay and circumspection than would have sufficed to walk the whole distance, —I never saw one walk, —and then suddenly, before you could say Jack Robinson, he would be in the top of a young pitch pine, winding up his clock and chiding all imaginary spectators, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time,—for no reason that I could ever detect, or he himself was aware of, I suspect.” (Walden, or Life in the Woods, 1854) Opportunities Galore If you need encouragement to get outdoors check out Facebook. com/DelawareNatureSociety for photos and sharing with # Take5Outside. Learn more about winter programs in ten Delaware locations offering adventures including star gazing, fraternizing with farm animals, maple sugaring, identifying winter plants, making a bird box, feeding birds, learning about ground hogs, marsh exploring on Wilmington’s waterfront, cross country skiing and more at DelNature.org/Programs or 302.239.2334. Please do what you can today to connect directly with Nature, preventing nature-deficit disorder.
Karen Verna Carlson, N.D., Ph.D. (Hon.) is a naturopathic physician and professor credited with “the first major breakthrough in Swedish Massage—research demonstrating energetic interconnections”—since Peter Ling systemized it in the early 19th century. After 35 years running her own nationally accredited school of holistic healing and massage she has retired to provide a new kind of holistic care for individuals and families. In addition to her specialties of healing massage and bodywork, she provides sensitive, timeand cost-effective services for home or office, family members and staff, that include diverse holistic problem solving for garden, pets, children and elders. She has received international recognition for holistic healing and educational work, an honorary degree, silver medal, and Who’s Who listing. She’s appeared on TV and radio and has been featured in professional publications and mass media. kvc@livingwellmagazine.net Phone (302) 777-3964
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January 2016
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Nowadays, we can blast our favorite tunes directly into our ears thanks to MP3 players and headphones. The result is a startling increase in reports of hearing loss among teenagers. It may seem great to immerse yourself in your music for hours every day, but the risk you run is losing your hearing early and it will only worsen as you grow older. If you want to enjoy music throughout your life, limit your earbud or headphone use to an hour or less at a time, and make sure you keep your volume set at 80 percent of capacity or less.
Myth #3: It’s only short-term We all have so much to keep track of these days when going to events. Who can remember to bring hearing protection along to one-time or infrequent events like fireworks displays, parades, or shooting ranges? You may think that if exposure to a particular loud noise is rare or isolated, it can’t cause permanent damage. But you’d be wrong.
Top 3 Hearing Protection Myths Protecting yourself from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) should be a year-round consideration. With more options than ever to keep your ears safe in a wide variety of loud settings, there is really no reason to take chances with your hearing anymore although many people will likely continue to use the same old excuses for not doing so. Here are three of the most common reasons given for skipping hearing protection and why they don’t hold up under scrutiny.
Myth #1: Hearing protection interferes with my ability to enjoy concerts It’s understandable not wanting anything to get between a great concert and your listening enjoyment. Basic foam earplugs can muffle some sounds to the point that the balance of instruments is thrown off (e.g., powerful bass overwhelms subtler keyboards). But when you consider the average rock concert can reach between 108 to 115 decibels (dB) and hearing damage begins at an exposure of 85 dB it’s counterintuitive not to protect your ears. Would you rather lose a few notes to the muffling effects of hearing protection or lose your ability to enjoy music (or anything else) permanently? The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other anymore. Many high-quality hearing protection options are available that have been specifically designed to reduce decibel overload without losing sound quality.
Myth #2: I can rock and roll all night Listening to your bedroom stereo cranked up to its highest volume is a time-honored tradition, especially for teenagers. This is one of the reasons so many baby boomers have developed hearing problems as they aged. 36
One-time exposure to an extremely loud noise can cause serious damage within a minute or less. For example, if you are setting off fireworks, you are exposing your ears to approximately 145 db. A shotgun blast clocks in at around 165 dB. Single exposure to either level of sound is all it takes to kill some of the sensitive hair cells (nerves that carry sound impulses to your brain) and leave you with permanent hearing loss. Another likely complication is tinnitus an irritating, constant noise in your ears often described as “ringing,” “buzzing,” or a similar sound. Ask anyone who suffers from tinnitus how it affects them. It may just make you rethink the importance of remembering hearing protection. An ounce of hearing protection is all you need You know the old saying about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure? That is definitely the case when it comes to NIHL and tinnitus. While hearing aids have come a long way in their ability to treat both conditions, neither is reversible. When your natural hearing becomes damaged, it can never be fully restored, and once you have ringing in your ears, it can only be suppressed, not cured. So don’t ruin your ability to enjoy the sounds that make your life rich and enjoyable be proactive and protect your hearing today.
Carol Meyers, Au.D. Dr. Carol Meyers is an Educational Specialist for Sivantos, Inc. She is responsible for the training and education of staff and hearing care professionals in the U.S. on the company’s products, technology, software, services, and audiology-related topics at industry events, face-to-face meetings, in publications, and through virtual courses. She is responsible for the planning and execution of online courses, including The Expert Series, which reaches a growing number of hearing care professionals each year. Prior to joining Sivantos (then Siemens Hearing Instruments) in 2007, Dr. Meyers dedicated more than 25 years to clinical practice, during which she attained a comprehensive understanding of diagnostics, hearing aid technology, and how to address the communication needs of individuals. Dr. Meyers holds a doctorate degree in Audiology from Arizona School of Health Sciences and graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Nebraska.
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January 2016
Finally An Article About Men and Women That Gets It Right People ask me often, “What is the top reason why people come to our coaches?” Well, we get people who are stuck in limiting behavior, patterns and emotions. We work with businesses and entrepreneurs, helping them to grow and thrive. One of the areas that brings so many people in is relationships. I have never been a big fan of traditional relationship counseling because who wants to spend an hour rehashing and feeling blamed for past events? I see things differently. Relationship struggles happen because the individuals have stopped doing what was working in the past. The biggest culprit is expectations. We create expectations of how someone should be, or an event should have happened. Counseling deals with expectations. I say we need to divorce ourselves from expectations and raise and maintain a higher standard of what we will accept. When we raise our standards, we can choose not to blame and instead choose how ‘WE” can solve the challenge together. This is not project management 101; you do this, and I do this. It is the WE. Without the WE, there is nothing. It cannot be how do you fix this; it must be how can WE solve this. Remember unconditional love does not keep score, nor does it barter. Love is giving without pretense and judgement. When the WE breaks down so does intimacy. Physical. Emotional. Verbal.
WOMEN: Put the you know what away. We get tired fighting for the right to be the man. Stop making your man wrong. We need to be able to know we can win the game and get the prize. Don’t give it to us but don’t make it impossible. Very often the prize we want the most is your smile and to make you happy. Women, love us even when we are idiots. When we feel your support we can do anything and without it we feel lost. We all have masculine and feminine energy and in different proportions. Learning to honor ourselves and each other is the key. We embrace the differences instead of trying to change. Women stop trying to take away your man’s intensity. It is the heart of masculinity. Teach him how to channel and direct it and men stop expecting her to act like one of your buddies. Instead embrace all of her and see that as your gift. Love is not easy and men and women are not the same. It drives me crazy how we are teaching our children that men and women are the same. Both should have the same opportunities and pay AND we are different. Men and Women are a paradox. Two things that should not seemly fit, but perfectly do. Until next month.. Live Free
I have decided to share with you some simple relationship coaching, very simply broken down to men and women.
MEN: Step up, be a man and take control of your life. Stop trying to fix her and never be critical of her emotions. You want her to love you like no one else? Be the man that doesn’t run away when her crazy comes out. Stand there and give her the reassurance that nothing will scare you away like the other men in her past. That is why you are her man. www.livingwellmagazine.net
Joe White is the President and founder of Get Life Coaching. Get Life Coaching is the leader in personal and professional development since 1999. Joe recently earned the most Prestigious Award : 2012 Entrepreneur of the year. Joe can be contacted at: 302-832-3424, or email him at: doitnow@getlifecoaching.com or check out: facebook.com/getlifecoaching Follow Joe on @getlifecoaching January 2016
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RECIPES
credit: Slow Cooker: 500 Recipes by Sara Lewis Hamlyn, 2015 photos: Stephen Conroy
Kashmiri Butter Chicken
Serves 4 Preparation time 30 minutes Cooking temperature low Cooking time 5–7 hours
Preheat the slow cooker if necessary. Blend the onions, garlic, ginger and chilli in a food processor or blender, or chop finely. Cut each chicken thigh into 4 pieces. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and add the chicken a few pieces at a time until all the meat has been added. Cook over a high heat until browned. Drain and transfer to a plate. Add the butter to the frying pan. When it has melted, add the onion paste and cook over a more moderate heat until it is just beginning to colour. Stir in the crushed cumin and fennel seeds, the cardamom pods and their black seeds and ground spices. Cook for 1 minute, then mix in the stock, sugar, tomato purée and salt. Bring to the boil, stirring. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker pot, pour the 38
onion mixture and sauce over the top and press the pieces of chicken below the surface of the liquid. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 5–7 hours. Stir in the cream. Garnish with toasted flaked almonds and coriander sprigs and serve with boiled rice and Coriander Flat Breads (see below), if liked. For coriander flat breads to accompany the curry, mix together 200 g (7 oz) self-raising flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 3 tablespoons roughly chopped coriander leaves and a little salt in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons sunflower oil, then gradually mix in 6–7 tablespoons water to make a soft dough. Cut the dough into 4 pieces and roll out each piece thinly on a lightly floured surface to form a rough oval. Cook on a preheated ridged griddle pan for 3–4 minutes on each side until singed and puffy.
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2 onions, quartered 3 garlic cloves 3.5 cm (1½ inch) piece of fresh root ginger, peeled 1 large red chilli, deseeded 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1 tablespoon sunflower oil 25 g (1 oz) butter 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, crushed 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed 4 cardamom pods, crushed 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon ground turmeric ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 300 ml (½ pint) chicken stock 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 tablespoons tomato purée 5 tablespoons double cream salt To garnish toasted flaked almonds coriander sprigs boiled rice, to serve
January 2016
Caramelized Onion Soup
Serves 4 Preparation time 25 minutes Cooking temperature low Cooking time 4–5 hours (1 oz) butter 2 tablespoons olive oil (1 lb) onions, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon caster sugar 2 tablespoons plain flour (8 fl oz) brown ale (1¼ pints) beef stock 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce salt and pepper Cheesy croutes 8 slices of French bread (3 oz) mature Cheddar cheese, grated 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce Preheat the slow cooker if necessary. Heat the butter and oil in a large frying pan, add the onions and fry over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until softened and just beginning to turn golden. Stir in the sugar and fry for 10 minutes, stirring frequently as the onions begin to caramelize and turn a deep golden brown. Stir in the flour, then add the ale, stock, bay leaves and Worcestershire sauce. Add a little salt and pepper and bring to the boil, stirring. Pour into the slow cooker pot, cover with the lid and cook on low for 4–5 hours or until the onions are very soft. When almost ready to serve, toast the French bread slices on both sides under a preheated medium grill. Sprinkle with the cheese and drizzle with the Worcestershire sauce, then grill until the cheese is bubbling. Ladle the soup into shallow bowls and float the croutes on top. For French onion soup, fry the onions as above and stir in the flour. Replace the ale with (8 fl oz) red wine and add with the stock, bay leaves and salt and pepper, omitting the Worcestershire sauce. Continue as above. For the croutes, toast the French bread, then rub one side of each piece with a cut garlic clove, sprinkle with (3 oz) grated Gruyère cheese and grill. Serve as above.
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January 2016
39
Rioja-Braised Lamb With Olives Serves 4 Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking temperature high Cooking time 5 to 6 hours 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 lamb shanks, 3 lb in total 2 red onions, cut into wedges 4 large garlic cloves, halved 1Âź cups Rioja or lamb stock 14 oz can diced tomatoes 1 tablespoon redcurrant jelly 3 rosemary sprigs 1 cup mixed pitted olives salt and pepper Preheat the slow cooker if necessary. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet, season the lamb shanks, then add them to the pan and brown on all sides. Lift them out of the skillet and put them in the slow-cooker pot with the meatiest parts downward. Add the remaining oil and onion wedges to the skillet and fry for 3 to 4 minutes until just beginning to color. Add the garlic, wine or stock, tomatoes, redcurrant jelly, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil, stirring. Scatter the olives over the lamb, then pour over the hot onion mixture. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours until the lamb is very tender. When ready to serve, pour the liquid out of the slow cooker into a saucepan and boil for 10 minutes until reduced by half. Put the lamb into shallow bowls lined with some runny polenta flavored with butter and Parmesan cheese or mashed potatoes, if liked, spoon over the onions and olives, and serve with the Rioja sauce. For Rioja-braised chicken with olives, substitute a 3 lb roasting chicken for the lamb shanks and cook as above, with the chicken cooked breast-side down in the liquid, until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear when the thickest parts of the leg and breast are pierced with a sharp knife.
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January 2016
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“Something unknown is doing we don’t know what.” —Sir Arthur Eddington, British astrophysicist, explaining how the universe works
I was recently introduced to the above quote as I was reading Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert’s latest gift to the world. It amused, comforted and inspired me, as great quotes always do. I’m relieved to discover that even the smartest people on the planet have no clue about how this universe really works, which takes me off the hook for sure. At the same time, the immense mystery that is Life fills me with wonder and awe and yes, gratitude. If we actually knew it all, the vitalizing thrill of discovery would no longer be ours to enjoy. The start of a new year is a perfect time to stand before the great unknown and thrill to the possibility of discovering something utterly, delightfully, mind-blowing-ly new about ourselves. Or to discover something tender, familiar and longed for. Or to see something old in a new way. Or to feel something, deeply, for the first time. Or to reach higher octaves of appreciation for the extraordinary beauty and abundance already present in our lives.
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Or all of the above. Consider the possibility that something fresh and new is ripe for you to discover this year. In order to discover something, whether it’s within you or outside of you, you must be able to recognize and follow subtle clues in vast, unmarked territory. So no matter what other intentions you may hold for 2016, give this one some thoughtful consideration as a bonus intention: I intend to cultivate openness to insight, intuition and inspiration. These three feather-light heavyweights – yes, the contradiction in terms is intentional – are loving guides to your next level of discovery. Through them you are lifted beyond the rigid confines of conditioned thought to fresh currents of energy, flowing in new directions. The Three I’s – perhaps more accurately called The Three Eyes – see for you what you do not currently see for yourself. They light the way for you to discover hidden gems of talent, passion and truth.
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January 2016
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So how might you cultivate openness to insight, intuition and inspiration? Your most effective cultivation practices are, of course, unique to you. One of the simplest ways to find them is to pose the question directly to your Self: “How might I cultivate openness to insight, intuition and inspiration?” Don’t rush to answer it. Let the question stay open for a while. Let it percolate in your mind and heart and see what ideas bubble up. You might find it helpful to think in terms of creating the ideal inner environment for The Three Eyes to do their work. For me the essential qualities of that environment are spaciousness and a right-for-me balance of movement and stillness, in my mind and in my body. There’s also a quality of aliveness that is vital. Practices such as meditating, dancing, walking in nature, journaling, exercising mindfully and paying attention to my dreams help me create that ideal inner environment. So do reading thought-provoking books that stretch my current understanding of something and engaging in possibility-oriented conversations with my inspiring friends and colleagues. Your ideal inner environment might be completely different. Your insights, inspiration and intuition might thrive with full-on engagement, such as when you’re exercising vigorously or volunteering in a soup kitchen or participating on a big, multiteam project at work. They might visit you more often when you make time for fun in your everyday life. They might descend upon you when you’ve laughed so hard, you’re limp.
a regular basis, you become lighter. You become attuned to a level of consciousness where The Three Eyes like to hang out. You’re available to receive inspiration, insights and intuitive impulses, and able to recognize them when you do, because you’re on their channel. The discovery channel. Of course, one of the most important things you can do to strengthen The Three Eyes is to follow their lead. If you continually ignore your own inner wisdom, it will stop speaking to you. After all, you’re being rude. (But don’t worry, it will happily reconnect with you again when you’re ready.) Learning to trust that higher guidance is an art and a practice in itself, and beyond the scope of this article. But you’ll get far by remembering that small steps, taken with willingness and curiosity, are really all that is required. So why not let 2016 be the year you allow The Three Eyes to lead you to fresh discoveries about who you really are and what is possible in your life? Invite them in. Notice which direction they’re facing. Listen closely to their guidance. And be willing to be surprised.
If you create a welcoming environment for The Three Eyes, they’ll show up. But don’t expect them to show up on command, or even when you’re engaged in the practices that help you create that welcoming environment. They show up when they show up, on their own mysterious timetable. (As Eddington said, something unknown is at work here.) Yet when you include practices in your lives that light you up, on
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Suzanne Eder is an award-winning writer, teacher and transformational life coach. She started her professional career as a CPA and enjoyed a highly successful corporate career in both Finance and Human Resources. She is a graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing’s intensive four-year program in mind-body-spirit healing, and was also a fitness instructor for 16 years. She founded Solid Ground Transformational Life Coaching in 2003 to help others awaken to their magnificence and create lives that light them up. Her first book, 10 Ways To Find Peace Rather Than Panic (When The World Has Gone A Little Crazy), earned a full 5-star rating on Amazon. Through her writing, retreats, classes and private mentoring she offers inspired and practical counsel in all areas related to personal growth and transformation. Suzanne can be reached at see@mysolidground.com or 302-888-2138.
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January 2016
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Homegrown Flavor from an Indoor Garden
By Melinda Myers
Add some homegrown flavor to your winter meals. From microgreens to tomatoes, it is possible to grow produce indoors. Microgreens are a quick and easy way to add some flavor and crunch to your plate. Just plant seeds labeled for sprouting or microgreens in a shallow container filled with a sterile potting or seed starting mix. Within two weeks you will be harvesting nutritious mini vegetable and herb leaves for salads, sandwiches or snacking. Take it one step further and grow a few of your favorite herbs on a warm sunny windowsill. Select a container with drainage holes and set on the appropriate size saucer to protect your woodwork. Fill the container with well-drained potting mix and plant seeds or transplants. Purchase basil, chives, parsley, oregano and rosemary plants from your local garden center or the produce department. Greens, like lettuce and spinach, will also grow in a sunny window or better yet under artificial lights. Grow them in a container filled with a well-drained potting mix similar to your windowsill herb garden. Plant seeds according to the seed packet. Continually harvest the outer leaves when they are four to six inches tall. Those that like a bit of a challenge may want to try growing a compact tomato, pepper or eggplant. You’ll get the best production with a combination of natural and artificial light or full spectrum lights.
Leave lights on for 14, but no more than 16 hours each day. Plants need a dark period as well as bright light each day to grow and thrive. Use a timer to ensure the plants receive the right duration of light. Most flowering and fruiting plants need a high intensity of light, so keep the lights six to twelve inches above your plants. Use reflective surfaces under and around the plants to bounce light back into larger plants. Increase your indoor growing space by going vertical. Shelf units with built-in light fixtures like the Stack-n-Grow Light System (gardeners.com) provide multiple layers of growing space. And once your tomatoes, peppers and eggplants start flowering, you will need to shake things up a bit. Gently shake the plants several times a week, better yet daily, to move the pollen from the female to the male parts of the flower so fruit will develop. A gentle breeze from a fan or vibrations from a battery-operated toothbrush work well. Indoor gardening won’t yield the same results as a sunny outdoor garden, but the flavor can’t be beat when gardening outdoors is not an option.
Natural sunlight and full spectrum lights contain the variety of light plants need to grow, flower and fruit. Blue light promotes leaf and stem growth, while red combined with blue promotes flowering. Consider investing in energy efficient and long lasting high intensity grow lights for the greatest yields when growing tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other fruiting plants indoors. 44
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Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips. January 2016
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Recently, we received a Dewalt DCCS690H1 40V MAX Lithium-Ion XR Brushless 16 in. Chainsaw with 6.0 Ah Battery. I was a little sceptical at first about using a Cordless Chainsaw but the opportunity to really test it out came sooner than expected. As a weekend warrior, I usually pull out the gas powered chainsaw that weighs about 20 lbs, fill it with the proper gas to oil mixture and hope that the chainsaw starts without having to pull the cord 20 times or more. Two hours later I would finally be cutting or had given up exhausted just from trying to get it started, vowing to return to the job later or another day.
I hate to use finishing nails because inevitably they always bend. I can hear my father yelling at me in my head saying “No Bent Nails” and for small projects pulling out the 50 lb air compressor and finishing nailer is way to much trouble. Dewalt has recently introduced its new DCN660, its most advanced, light-weight, compact, and highly anticipated 20V MAX* Cordless 16 GA Angled Finish Nailer with EXTREME RUNTIME (XR)®, powered strictly by a Lithium Ion battery. The batteries are interchangeable so you can drive over 800 nails in on one charge and if that is not enough swap out the battery and keep going. Also it is really convenient to use JAM free tool release, tool free depth adjustment, tool free trigger system so you can change from sequential to bump for fast paced work.
A couple of weeks ago, after a wind and rain storm a tree fell down in our front yard. The tree trunk was about 14 inches in diameter and 30 ft long. So it was going to be an all day job cutting it up. I decided to give the new Dewalt 40V Chainsaw a try. Set up was really easy. I took the battery pack off the charger added bar oil and I was on my way. The new Dewalt Chainsaw started with a simple squeeze of the trigger, and weights a comfortable 12 lbs. The Dewalt DCCS690H1 40V MAX Lithium-Ion XR performed very well cutting the tree branches that were 4”- 6” in diameter. As I finally removed all the branches, I knew the true test was going to be cutting up the trunk. The Dewalt DCCS690H1 40V MAX Lithium-Ion XR performed flawlessly cutting the trunk with the same aggressiveness as a gas powered chainsaw. Dewalt batteries also have a fuel gauge on the battery to check its power level. There is also a chain tension adjustor that does not need a tool. After a few hours I was completely done. I checked the battery and it still had about a 30% charge left. Impressive! Cuts as well as a Gas powered chainsaw! I look forward to using some of the other new Dewalt outdoor power equipment so I can retire the heavyweight gas power tools.
Great for homeowners, contractors, remodeling projects, and cabinet makers. Lightweight easy to use comes in it own case. Pop the battery in and no more bent nails. Set up takes less than 5 mins. So the project can be finished quickly and easily.
The items on this page were reviewed by the publisher, Brian Strauss. Both awarded LWM’s Tried & True Award. www.livingwellmagazine.net
January 2016
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Jurdy Green
by Jenifer Jurden. Jurdy focuses on engaging humans worldwide on the topic of green and helping them to “get grinning, get greening.” See Jurdy now at two websites!: www.jurdygreen.com and www.jurdy.com
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