JUNE 2019
LIVING WELL MAGAZINE™
MEN'S HEALTH: PREVENT THE TOP HEALTH THREATS
Gifts for
DAD
the shop by design FIGHTING THE EVERGROWING TORRENT OF PLASTIC WASTE HOW TO BE YOUR OWN HOME INSPECTOR
HEALTH + HOME + FOOD + TECH + STYLE recycle: share this magazine
MEN’S HEALTH
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words from the editor:
We’re writing this editor’s note on Memorial Day Weekend. As a small local business, we have very little opportunity to take time off or vacation. But, on a weekend like this one, we don’t mind one bit. We know that our opportunity—freedom, family, fun—is the product of the sacrifices brave men and women made serving this country. Our fathers served in WWII. They were honorable men then, and remain so in memoriam. To all who served and are serving, Thank You. This issue really kicks off summer. June is Men’s health month—we have great content about the types of health issues men should be thinking about at all stages of life. So men, be sure to read up on how you can stay healthy and fit this summer. Dianna Palimere, explains why Sex Therapy For Erectile Dysfunction is often needed, because a large number of men will have some form of difficulty with sexual functioning sometime in their life. According to Boston University School of Medicine’s School of Sexual Medicine, 22 percent of males by age 40, and 49 percent of males by age 70, have experienced erectile dysfunction (2002 study), and a pill isn’t always the answer. On that note, we have plenty of great product recommendations in this issue to help out with your healthy lifestyle goals. We’ve tested these products—tried and true™—and really like them all. If you have questions, send us a direct message on Instagram, email us, or send us a letter. We’re happy to chat about any products that we found tried and true™! Summer is also a good time to think about downsizing, expanding, moving, you name it. If you’re selling a house, be sure to read Madeline Dobbs’ article in this issue giving the guidance you’ll need for how you can be your own home inspector. And of course, this issue is loaded with great summer recipes, in RECIPES BY THE BOOK: From the Best-selling author of Persiana, a stellar collection of vegetable-centric recipes inspired by flavors of the Middle-East, BAZAAR {THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER},Vibrant vegetarian recipes ,by Sabrina Ghayour and a mouth watering recipe for Grilled Shrimp With Veggie Noodles, From Chef Andrew Thorne, The Executive Chef at Home Grown Cafe. Summer is about cooking fresh with so many locally grown fruits and vegetable available it’s the perfect season to try out new ingredients and recipes. —Enjoy & Share Everything! Diane Strauss
HENRY has a heart as big as he is.
Advertising Inquiries:
Editor / Publisher Diane Strauss Associate Editor: Michael Strauss puppy love™ Creator Sean Strauss Media Development Jonelle Strauss Resident Artist and Creator of the Valentino caricature. Liam McWilliams Design and Graphics Diane Strauss
CONTACT US: sales@livingwellmagazine.net
302-355-0929
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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
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. 2018 Various Trademarks used By Permission of Their resPecTiVe owners
puppylove™ Henry is a 2-year-old with a heart as big as he his. This handsome hunk is an absolute sweetie who adores everyone he comes across. All this gentle giant wants is to love you. Henry does well with kids and with other dogs. He'd make a fabulous new addition to most families. (Brandywine Valley SPCA, 600 South Street, New Castle, DE 19720, 302-516-1000, www. bvspca.org) www.livingwellmagazine.net
June 2019
Cover Design: by dcstrauss For more content, photos, and special give-aways you can find and follow us on most social media forums.
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inside Choose Your Attitude Karen Verna Carlson The Boredom Paradox Suzanne E. Eder
HANDS ON HEALTH Ann Wilkinson P.T.M.S,
Sexual Health and Healing: Sex Therapy For Erectile Dysfunction with Dianna Palimere
EARTH TALK: Innovative ways that food and drink producers are fighting the evergrowing torrent of plastic waste.
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FOLLOW US ON TWITTER 22 Follow our Instagram page for an up close and personal look. www.instagram.com livingwellmagazine/
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Modern Medicine: Curing a lifetime of Poor Vision Dr. Kerry Assil
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Grilled Shrimp With Veggie Noodles Recipe From Chef Andrew Thorne, The Executive Chef at Home Grown Cafe
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HOW TO BE YOUR OWN HOME INSPECTOR Madeline Dobbs
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Many of the items appearing in LWM can be found and purchased from local retailers. We have included product website addresses when available so you can type in your zip code on their site to locate local buying options and or direct purchasing if not available in your area. Most books are available at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com
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TRIED
MEN’S HEALTH: PREVENT THE TOP HEALTH THREATS Mayo Clinic News Network
TRUE™
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AWARD
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.
13 RECIPES BY THE BOOK: From the Best-selling author of Persiana, a stellar collection of vegetablecentric recipes inspired by flavors of the Middle-East BAZAAR {THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER} Vibrant vegetarian recipes by Sabrina Ghayour
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Where’s Valentino?
Join us to celebrate Grandparents! SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 Nominate your grandparents and tell us why they are so special!
Families will enjoy brunch with their nominee and kids will enjoy family fun games on the terrace!
Nominated grandparents will be honored at this special brunch. Send us a photo of your grandparents (with or without the grandkids) - photo and summarized nomination will appear in presentation. A professional photographer will be on hand to take a family photo.
Questions or to nominate? Regina Dodds, Director of Events, 302-656-6451 OR at mealsonwheelsde.org/event/grand-thanks/ www.livingwellmagazine.net
June 2019
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FYI
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Between the food industry and consumers, Americans are throwing out about a third of our food — about $161 billion worth each year.
Natural Flea and Tick
Eliminator Recipes
Source: FDA 1 Natural Flea and Tick Eliminator Ingredients: 1 teaspoon of garlic powder (you can also use 3-4 garlic capsules) 1 heaping T. brewer’s yeast
SUNSCREEN
Instructions: It’s pretty simple, just mix the ingredients together. The combination of garlic powder and yeasts produces an odor through the pet’s fur and skin which fleas and ticks find offensive. These ingredients will also make your pet’s blood taste awful which discourages ticks, ear mites and other pests. 2 Natural Flea and Tick Eliminator Ingredients:
1 cup burger meat 1 chopped clove of garlic 1 egg 1 tablespoon heaping T. brewer’s yeast
GET THE GUIDE
Instructions: Grill or fry the hamburger meat until browned. Mix the egg, garlic, and brewer’s yeast together then add to the burger meat. Feed it to your dog. For positive result, it is advisable that you do this once a month to minimize and control your pet’s fleas and ticks.
If you are looking for up to date information and need help finding the right sunscreen for you and your family go to www.ewg.org to stay safe in the sun this summer with the EWG's Guide to Safer Sunscreens. It's filled with tips on how to read sunscreen labels, how to shop smarter, learn about nanoparticles in sunscreens, and how vitamin A may speed the development of skin cancer, along with other valuable information.
3 Natural Flea and Tick Eliminator Recipe 3 Ingredients:
Fresh lemon Water
Instructions: To make a citrus flea and tick repellant, cut a fresh lemon into quarters and put it in a jug. Then pour boiling water and let it sleep overnight. Put the mixture to a spray bottle. Source: Pet Article courtesy of pet-articles.blogspot.com. 6
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June 2019
Innovative ways that food and drink producers are fighting the evergrowing torrent of plastic waste. made from: NOTPLA
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Notpla is made from one of nature’s most renewable resource, brown seaweed. Growing up to 1m per day, it doesn’t compete with food crops, doesn’t need fresh water or fertiliser and actively contributes to de-acidifying our oceans. Ooho (photo) and our other packaging solutions are made from Notpla. Edible and biodegradeable. The alternative to plastic.
Ooho is a water sachet that you can eat. It’s made from Notpla, our material combining seaweed and plants. Ooho biodegrade in 4-6 weeks, making it ideal for on the go consumption.
As more people become aware of the extent of plastic waste clogging up our environment, cutting back on plastic use is fast becoming a key environmental priority around the world. According to a 2017 study by researchers from the University of Georgia, UC Santa Barbara and Sea Education Association, humans have produced 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic since mass-production started in the 1950s. While we’ve recycled about nine percent of all that plastic and incinerated another 12 percent, as much as 75 percent has been discarded into landfills or, even worse, set adrift into the environment. If we don’t slow down our current run rate of producing new (“virgin”) plastic, we can expect to add another four billion metric tons of it to our global environment by 2050. With no cheap and scalable way to collect and get rid of all this plastic, the best we can hope for is to not make the problem worse. Luckily sustainable alternatives to plastic are coming on strong. PLA plastic, which is derived from plants and functions like conventional plastic, is promising but needs to scale up to become economically viable as it requires dedicated recycling/processing systems to truly “close its loop.” Likewise, paper or cardboard cartons could be a viable alternative to plastic food and drink storage containers if they are produced at great enough scale to justify dedicated facilities to process them for recycling, given that they are also infused with non-recyclable layers for strength and to prevent seepage. PLA and cardboard are just the beginning of what is possible. Food producers and chemists are experimenting with making containers out of biodegradable plant products like corn starch, cassava and even algae. And just this spring, tens of thousands of runners participating in the London Marathon were given water out of edible pods made from
seaweed and plant extracts instead of plastic bottles. Skipping Rocks Lab, the London-based startup behind the newfangled containers, reports that they’re not only cheaper to produce than plastic but are also biodegradable, breaking down completely within a month, while not imparting any flavor or taste to the water or whatever else is inside. While there’s something to be said for technology, an older school “alternative” to plastic is all-natural plant material. American supermarkets could learn a lot from some Southeast Asian grocers, for instance, that wrap up produce for sale in biodegradable banana leaves instead of plastic bags. These all-natural wrappers can be thrown into the compost pile or yard waste bin and become rich soil without ever having to be processed using fossil-fuel based energy (like traditional recyclables). You can do your part by telling your friends, neighbors, store managers, policymakers, elected officials and anyone else within hearing distance that you and millions of others like you don’t want any more single use plastics in your town, county, state or country. And if you haven’t already done so, get yourself a reusable water bottle and reusable shopping bag(s) so you can start being part of the day-to-day solution.
CONTACTS: “Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made,” https://advances. sciencemag.org/content/3/7/e1700782; Sea Education Association, www.sea.edu; Skipping Rocks Lab, www.skippingrockslab.com. EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. To read more, check out https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https:// earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.
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June 2019
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V
ALENTINO!
Wow! There are thousands of readers who are searching for Valentino. He is hidden somewhere on the pages of each issue. 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 — keep searching and entering the “Where’s Valentino!” Contest every month for a chance to be entered to win some great gifts from our Holiday Gift Guide! Below Is The Answer To Last Month’s Where’s Valentino! In May, Valentino can be found on page 5, on the “Epoch Chiropractic“ ad! Valentino can be found in the far right picture with the man in the red shirt. Look over his right shoulder. Valley knows the value of a great chiropractor. Remember Valentino is always hiding in one of our advertisers ads. Please make sure we have your mailing address & Phone Number included in your email. Because if you are a winner we can send out your prize! If you need a hint you can always email us and ask:
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Many of the leading causes of death among men can be prevented. Here’s what you need to know to live a longer, healthier life.
MEN'S HEALTH: PREVENT THE TOP THREATS
Do you know the greatest threats to men's health? The list is surprisingly short. The top causes of death among adult men in the U.S. are heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease and stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The good news is that making a few lifestyle changes can significantly lower your risk of these common killers.
ounces (148 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 fluid ounces (44 milliliters) of standard 80-proof liquor. The risk of various types of cancer, such as liver cancer, appears to increase with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you've been drinking regularly. Too much alcohol can also raise your blood pressure.
Start by looking at your lifestyle
Stop avoiding the doctor. Don't wait to visit the doctor until something is seriously wrong. Your doctor can be your best ally for preventing health problems. Follow your doctor's treatment recommendations if you have health issues, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes. Also, ask your doctor about when you should have cancer screenings, immunizations and other health evaluations.
Take charge of your health by making better lifestyle choices. For example: Don't smoke. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution and chemicals, such as those in the workplace. Eat a healthy diet. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods and lean sources of protein, such as fish. Limit foods high in saturated fat and sodium. Maintain a healthy weight. Losing excess pounds — and keeping them off — can lower your risk of heart disease as well as various types of cancer. Get moving. Exercise can help you control your weight, lower your risk of heart disease and stroke and possibly lower your risk of certain types of cancer? Choose activities you enjoy, such as tennis, basketball or brisk walking. All physical activity benefits your health. Limit alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. That means up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger and one drink a day for men older than age 65. Examples of one drink include 12 fluid ounces (355 milliliters) of beer, 5 fluid
Manage stress. If you feel constantly on edge or under pressure, your lifestyle habits may suffer — and so might your immune system. Take steps to reduce stress — or learn to deal with stress in healthy ways.
What else puts you at risk? Motor vehicle accidents are another common cause of death among men. To stay safe on the road, wear your seat belt. Follow the speed limit. Don't drive under the influence of alcohol or any other substances, and don't drive while sleepy. Suicide is another leading men's health risk. An important risk factor for suicide among men is depression. If you have signs and symptoms of depression — such as feeling sad or worthless and a loss of interest in normal activities — talk to your doctor. Treatment is available. If you're contemplating suicide, call for emergency medical help or go the nearest emergency room. The bottom line. Understanding health risks is one thing. Taking action to reduce your risks is another. Start by making healthy lifestyle choices. The impact might be greater than you'll ever know. Article printed with permission from: Mayo Clinic News Network
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June 2019
Brilliant Home Control Control your lights, music, climate, locks and more. Brilliant replaces any light switch in the home. It can be installed in just minutes with no additional hubs, wiring, batteries, or programming required. It instantly turns your lights into smart lights and gives you voice and touch control over all of your other smart home products. Climate Control your home’s temperature with Nest and other smart home thermostats with touch or voice. Music Choose your favorite music and control your Sonos systems directly from your walls. Alexa Ask for anything and get a verbal and visual response on your wall -- Alexa is built into Brilliant. www.brilliant.tech
SKYlite Laser Nebula Projector Instantly change the atmosphere of any room with your own personal galaxy! The SKYlite projects an array of drifting green stars against a moving blue nebula. Titling design allows you to shine the effect on walls or ceiling. Transform workspaces, add a unique touch to your bedroom, light yoga sessions, and more. Easily adjust light settings and effects with simple button controls. A great gift idea, sure to please adults and kids alike! www.blisslights.com/sky www.livingwellmagazine.net
June 2019
Benjilock by Hampton Padlock that opens with a fingerprint or key. Stores up to 10 fingerprints for multiple users. Highly secure chrome plated, hardened steel shackle. Double stainless-steel ball locking mechanism for superior resistance to prying. www.lowes.com
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MODERN MEDICINE:
Curing a lifetime of Poor Vision
Dr. Kerry Assil
They have blurred or clouded vision, especially when there is less light. Patients complain that they feel like they’re looking through a frosted window. These are the symptoms shared by 24 million Americans who have cataracts “Cataracts form gradually as the internal lens of the eye loses crystal clear transparency,” according to Dr. Kerry Assil, a leading ophthalmologist based in Beverly Hills, CA. “Patients rarely realize they have them until they are diagnosed.” Current statistics from the National Eye Institute (NEI), show cataracts affect 24.4 million Americans age 40 and older; that’s about one in every six adults. Over 90 percent of people diagnosed with the condition are age 65 and older, yet, it’s not all that uncommon for people in their 20s to have it. The NEI predicts that over 30 million Americans will have cataracts by the year 2020. “Cataracts form gradually as the internal lens of the eye loses crystal clear transparency,” says Assil, who is the lead surgeon and founder of the Assil Eye Institute he founded 25 years ago. For patients like Rebecca White, who struggled with poor vision all her life, the disease is especially more difficult to detect. She endured “coke-bottle” glasses, hard contact lenses, and the frustration of being unable to engage in activities she liked. “And because of my last name, I was alphabetically placed in the back of the classroom,” she says. “It was always difficult for me to see things clearly.” More than just an awkward inconvenience, White’s vision grew so bad that she had to keep several glasses on hand, “just in case” she misplaced or broke a pair. “That was my life.” By the time she graduated from high school, she was legally blind. “I couldn’t see anything without glasses or contacts,” says White.
About two years ago, she visited her optometrist for what she thought was a routine checkup. “I could tell I was not seeing clearly. But it surprised me when he told me I had cataracts. I thought I had 10 years or more before something like that happened. I was in my late 50s. Cataracts were things that older people had. I didn’t think that I was a candidate. I was really shocked at how quickly they developed.” Alarmed about her worsening vision, White researched specialists in surgical eye disease and found the Assil Eye Institute. “In Rebecca’s case,” explains Dr. Assil, “her lenses had lost some of their elasticity and this also impaired her ability to focus. Nearly everyone’s lenses stiffen around the age of 40, that’s why we lose the ability to see up close, and why we tend to need those bifocals or reading glasses.” However, cataracts are much less predictable. “It’s a misconception they only happen to older people,” Assil continues. “They are more common as we get older but they can happen to almost anyone at any age. Rebecca probably had cataracts for quite a while but didn’t realize it because of the poor condition of her normal vision.” Treatment for cataracts is usually an outpatient procedure that involves the removal of the clouded natural lens and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant. According to Dr. Rolando Toyos, who has an ophthalmology practice in Nashville, TN, the procedure sounds complicated, and at one time it was. The eye is, after all, a highly specialized and complicated organ. “It’s an exquisite camera,” he explains. “The eye’s function depends — continued on next page
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on the precise performance of each component. Therefore, assessing every part of the eye is important in achieving success.
With the consultations and exams behind her, White agreed to have Dr. Assil perform her cataract surgery. After a 10-minute outpatient procedure, she left his office with IOL implants.
As a surgeon, I must take great care with performing procedures like cataract removal.” And only ten years ago, such a procedure took hours and often left patients out of commission for weeks, he adds.
The next day, she found herself living in a new world she barely recognized.
“With advancement in modern medical technology and improvements in technique, the procedure can take about ten minutes with much faster recovery—sometimes only days—making treatment far more predictable,” Dr. Toyos says.
“We were done so quickly,” she recalls. “The next day, it was like someone washed my windows. I could see colors and details that I never knew were there. For the first time in my life I could see leaves fluttering in the trees.”
Dr. Assil adds that new medical technologies shorten the surgery contemplation time. “The more data I have, the more precise I can be in ensuring the cause and planning my patient’s treatment. This all has positive effects on patient outcomes,” he says. “In a case like Rebecca’s, a battery of screenings may include several devices to get me exact measurements that help me decide about the replacement lens that the patient needs.”
About six months after the procedure, she still pauses to marvel at the world that’s been revealed to her. “I sure wish my vision was like this when I was a kid,” she comments. “Things would have been a lot different. But experiences like this makes you grateful for what you have now. I am very grateful to be able to see.”
Technology isn’t all about precision or time, however. “I don’t spend less time with my patients now than I did before,” he says. “I spend less time with analysis and screening, and more time talking to my patients and getting to know their needs. Some wait for decades until things are so bad that they must have surgery. I ease their concerns and fears about eye surgery. I answer questions and give them confidence about their decisions.”
One of the world’s foremost experts in eye surgery, Dr. Kerry Assil has invented or pioneered multiple surgical procedures, including e-LASIK, Reading Vision LASIK, Epi-Lasik, Intrastromal Corneal Rings (ICR), combined technique RK, phakic IOL, Refractive Lens Exchange, Laser Cataract Surgery and 3D Cataract Surgery. He continues to make significant advances in his field with numerous inventions and introductions of state-of-the-art technology.
Treatment for cataracts is usually an outpatient procedure that involves the removal of the clouded natural lens and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant. www.livingwellmagazine.net
June 2019
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7. Steven Raichlen Man Made Meals The Essential Cookbook for Guys Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com 8. I Love Dad Joanna Walsh & Judi Abbot Avail: Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com 9. Skullcandy Riff Wireless On-Ear Headphones www.skullcandy.com 10. From the Nicholas Collection Copper Chill Beverage Cup Freezer Gel Filled Stainless Steel www.corkpops.com 11. Corso Magnetie Invisible , and Reversible Tie Tac corso.com
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12. Mandarin Orange Olyxir Organic Chocolate olyxir.com 13. Powers John Lane 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey www.powerswhiskey.com/en-US 14. FEW Breakfast Gin It’s 10 am somewhere and Few Breakfast Gin is here to go with your pancakes. www.fewspirits.com 15. Disceeze Soft, Safe & Easy To Catch Collapsible Structure www.disceez.com 16. Bed Simply Made Two separate sheets are the past. One connected sheet is the future. bedsimplymade.com
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Choose Your Attitude Karen Verna Carlson
Choice Is a Tool
On this summer day or evening, where are you right now? Notice some of the visual, audio, olfactory and tactile details. Scan as much as you can of 360 degrees. Pause reading to register a few details of décor or landscape. Pause. Discern as many sounds as you can right now. Pause. What do you smell? Can you detect aromatic qualities like sweet, earthy, acrid, briny? Guess the humidity right now. (Please give a percentage.) Feel the chair in contact with your body, the ground or floor in contact with one or both feet. Welcome to a moment of mindfulness.
The lowest end of my scale represents the rottenest attitudes I’ve ever actually had, and characteristically involve a profane mental expletive (or two) though rarely verbalized. My #1’s are infrequent and short in duration (nanoseconds) because nowadays with consistent mind training (aka meditation) I so quickly remember I can make a different choice and bring about a healthier state. Mind training has helped me become conscious of choice as a tool to explore and apply some of these other ideas. Clarify Nuances & Variations Because I have a greater awareness of choice, mind training has further awakened my awareness around attitude states, developing my vocabulary to label them according to subtle nuances and variations I had heretofore not noticed. However, you can achieve impressive upgrades simply using general categories like “bad,” “poor,” “neutral,” “good,” “excellent.” Use whatever serves as a frame of reference so you can measure your progress towards expressing a more effective attitude choice. Practical, Detached, Curious
Rate Your Attitude The next question is not so easy to answer: What is your general attitude at this moment? I suggest drafting a scale of 1 – 10. The higher levels would represent more positive predilections, such as upbeat, enthusiastic, inspired, happy. This is your own personal scale so create it the way you want, and feel free to tweak your scale or ratings at anytime for a better fit, like altering clothing to accommodate changes in physique or fashion. Working out your personal scale of mental states increases and clarifies your awareness, making it easier to choose healthier attitude habits. Maybe using a 1 – 5 scale is more to your liking. The middle number usually represents a basically neutral attitude, an adequate enough place to hang out most of the time. Progress, Not Perfection My scale reserves the uppermost number to designate the absolute highest possible achievement I can imagine for myself. I persevere to make decisions and take actions that seem likely to move me towards having that #10 attitude lifestyle. It’s an enjoyable process rather than a white-knuckled goal. For me, that ultimate goal would be a natural state of total bliss in the moment with complete trust and high probability for further blessings to unfold. That’s the best I can imagine for myself. While I rarely register as high as #7 using this scale, and may not even come close to a level 10 attitude, I garner deep satisfaction inching toward a healthy goal. As an alternative paradigm you might prefer to designate the best and highest attitudes you’ve thus far actually experienced in this life as the top #10 (or #5). 18
I listed my levels #1 - #7 with words and phrases describing each for easy reference. Later, after I spend more time in levels above #5, I’ll write intuitive descriptions for my levels #8 and #9 to guide me further. Most days, I generally rate my state in journal entries along with logging weather. This has led me to consider my inner states with similar practicality, detachment and curiosity as I regard weather conditions. I’m logging inner and outer weather data, so to say. One result has been a 50% easement in the frequency, magnitude and duration of emotional maelstroms. Choose Your scale in its simplest form can be the spectrum of your direct experiences from “bad (#1)” through “neutral (#5)” to “excellent (#10).” According to that rating method, where’s your general attitude right now? Please come up with a number. Would you like to keep that attitude functioning for awhile? Or would you like to choose a different attitude level? Repeated small, reasonable attitude upgrades can be powerfully transformative. Wake Up Awareness A low level attitude drains my energy, embroiling me in negativity, blinding and numbing my perception of life’s abundant goodness, beauty and wonder that surround me 24/7. A low level attitude is painful. It’s even more painful perhaps because it’s unproductive. Maybe pain feels even greater since low level attitudes are actually counterproductive. Every area of life offers opportunities to wake up to our attitude choices. Care to consider a few of them?
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Wake Up Opportunities Assess your attitude details about your health. Is your attitude “good” (e.g., “My mind and body are working, feeling and looking well #7”)? What about weather? (e.g., “I hate this high humidity #2” is a poor attitude.) Finances? (e.g., “I’ve got ample money, but want better performing investments #5” is fairly neutral.) Of course, every area of life involves attitudes that may fluctuate or be rigidly carved in stone. And in this lively mix you can be sure to find contradictory attitudes you may not even know you had. That means a never ending stream of opportunities to make fresh attitude choices over a status quo you may consider undesirable. What’s your attitude about that? We Are Our Choices You do get to choose. You have to choose. Choosing not to choose is a choice. Who I am today is the result of all yesterday’s attitude choices, whether or not I was aware of making them. Today’s attitude choices, whether or not I’m aware of making them, determine who I become. So, honing my awareness to choose attitudes is a very very sensible quality-of-life investment, I’ve discovered. It starts with recognizing and taking responsibility for the attitude I have now.
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 systematized massage in the early 19th century. After 35 years running her own nationally accredited school of holistic healing and massage she has retired to continue holistic research and education through lectures, study groups, and writing as well as with individual women clients. Karen has received international recognition for holistic healing and educational work, an honorary degree, silver Prix Hippocrate medal, and Who’s Who Listing. She has presented programs for television, radio, professional symposia and public conferences. Her work has been featured in professional publications as well as in mass media. To reach Karen: karenvernacarlson@gmail.com Phone 302.777.3964
LIFE COACHING ◦ Life and Wellness Coaching ◦ ADHD Coaching & Support ◦ Addiction Recovery Coaching & Support
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HELPING TEENS AND ADULTS MOVE FORWARD Liz Brown Professional Life Coach 302.584.5521 www.bewelllifecoaching.com www.livingwellmagazine.net
June 2019
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HANDS ON HEALTH Ann Wilkinson P.T.M.S,
Q:
I have been hibernating all winter and thought I would start exercising gently. I only did 20 minutes of Yoga. I was pleased that I could still balance and get into the postures, although I was tight. Today, two days later my pectorals are so sore I cannot touch them. How can I get back into the swing without so much discomfort?
A:
First of all, Yoga is harder than you think and yes while it is very effective for stretching it is also very strengthening. Start with the easiest postures and work your way up. You refer to your balance in which I suspect you may have been doing some of the harder one legged postures. Start sitting and lying and only do the easy standing postures avoiding extreme hip stretches at first. Breath and rest between postures. Dance, walk and swim to increase stamina and endurance however gently and have fun. It is not required to be so serious and obsessive with our exercise routines. We can be more relaxed and have more fun than most people think. Eating right is your top priority. For example eating sugar shortens tendons. It is not a good idea to have sweets before exercise. Many people overindulge and than out of guilt exercise. Start with a week of very clean eating. Drink lots of clean water, organic food, no sugar, no dairy, vegetable protein over animal protein, lots of fruit. Slowly add your stretches increasing gently how long you hold or how challenging your postures are. Start with subtle cardiovascular challenge slowly progressing in intensity. Have fun, exercise with a friend. Exercise in nature and increase your clean air intake. Getting a massage to move lactic acid and drain lymph is highly recommended. Check with you osteopath or chiropractor and make sure you are in proper alignment from the get go to avoid injury. Arnica 30C homeopathic and Traumeel ointment are highly effective when you are sore.
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.
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Grilled Shrimp With Veggie Noodles Serves 4 VEGETABLE NOODLES 1 lb carrot noodles 1 lb zucchini noodles You can buy pre-cut vegetable noodles in the produce section, or cut your own with a spiral vegetable cutter. Try multicolored carrots for added color! ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS 1 Tbsp chopped garlic 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp chopped parsley 5 basil leaves - hand torn 20 cherry tomatoes Parmesan cheese as needed Salt and pepper to taste 4 to 5 Shrimp per person (Pictured size are 16-20 per lb.) COOKING THE SHRIMP Preheat your grill. Season shrimp with salt and pepper Grill the shrimp on each side for three to four minutes (or until done if using larger or smaller shrimp.) Place the oil and garlic in a large saute pan, and turn on to medium heat. Cook for 2 minutes, trying not to brown the garlic. Add noodles and tomatoes. Saute for 3 to 5 minutes or until your preferred liking. Season with salt and pepper
Andrew Thorne, Executive Chef, Home Grown Cafe Chef Andrew has over 18 years of being in the food industry and holds a degree from the New England Culinary Arts Institute in Vermont (2007). Andrew was born and raised in New Hampshire which helped cultivate his love of gardening and supporting local farmers. He infuses that passion into the cuisine at Home Grown Cafe.
Add the basil, parsley and Parmesan cheese. Toss gently To serve: place the noodles on a plate and top with the shrimp Garnish with more Parmesan cheese if desired.
Enjoy! www.livingwellmagazine.net
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SEX THERAPY For Erectile Dysfunction Dianna Palimere, PhD, LCSW
It’s a beautiful setting, usually on a hill or a beach overlooking the sunset. A couple is sitting in side-by-side bathtubs, sharing one of those moments that they will remember forever. “Then the moment turns romantic” and we all know the rest of the dozens of commercials we have seen over the years. It’s time to take the pill for erectile dysfunction (ED). The truth is, a large number of men will have some form of difficulty with sexual functioning sometime in their life. According to Boston University School of Medicine’s School of Sexual Medicine, 22 percent of males by age 40, and 49 percent of males by age 70, have experienced erectile dysfunction (2002 study). Additionally, the incidence among 18 to 25 year olds has been on the rise, suggesting this is not simply a phenomenon that comes with age. With the prevalence among the male population, it’s important to understanding what the issues are stemming from and the treatment available.
Why is this happening to me!? There are a variety of causes for ED and the treatment possibilities will vary depending on the cause. If you suspect you have ED related to one of the conditions mentioned, make an appointment to discuss treatment options with your urologist. Vasculogenic conditions- Affect blood flow to the penis, include: heart or blood vessel disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and diabetes. Neurogenic conditions- Affect the nervous system, including: multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, epilepsy, diabetes and spinal injury or disorder. Endocrine conditions- Affect the hormones, including: Klinefelter’s syndrome, pituitary disease, an overactive thyroid gland, an underactive thyroid gland, hypogonadism (low tester one level), Cushing’s syndrome
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(high cortisol level), a head or brain injury recently or in the past; and subarachnoid hemorrhage or radiation to the head (as these may cause hormonal changes, particularly low testosterone). Anatomical conditions- Affect the structure of the penis, including Peyronie’s disease, congenital chord and hypospadias. Miscellaneous factors- Surgery and/or radiation therapy for bladder, prostate, or rectal cancer. Injury to the penis, side effects of prescription medication, recreational drug use, and excessive alcohol consumption. Psychological factors- A number of psychological issues can cause ED, including: stress/anxiety, depression, relational/communication issues, performance anxiety and/or guilt, or lack of psychosexual skill.
a bear. It’s simple cause and effect. The human body wasn’t built to fight bears with an erection. In fact, adrenaline stops that from happening; and for good reason, as our bodies resources are needed elsewhere in surviving the “threat.” Treatment Getting help early can shorten the time it takes to resolve ED issues. Unfortunately, the majority of men struggle with symptoms for months or years before seeking the help of a professional. In addition to discussing concerns with your doctor, talking with your partner can also be beneficial. Studies have shown that men with a psychological cause for ED, who have a partner involved in treatment, are able to work through their issues 50-70% of the time.
While there are typically co-occurring diagnoses (i.e., depression with a patient who has been diagnosed with cancer) there are some ways that a doctor may determine if the cause for ED is more likely a psychological issue versus a medical or physical one. As noted on the SAA website, (sexualadviceassociation.co.uk/erectile-dysfunction):
However, if someone doesn’t feel comfortable discussing it with their partner, seeking the help of a trained mental health professional can still be quite beneficial. In some cases, the therapist may be able to help strengthen the communication skills needed to be able to talk with your partner openly and honestly. As long as there are no complicating medical or trauma-related issues, the number of sessions needed to treat psychological ED generally ranges from 5-10 sessions.
A Psychological cause of ED is more likely if:
The steps involved in treatment are the following:
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Your erection is fine except with your partner
Replace negative thoughts with positive, realistic thoughts.
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You are suffering from stress and anxiety from work or home (money or family)
Identify sexual stimulation and feelings of pleasure.
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There are marital [issues] and dissatisfaction (which may also cause premature ejaculation)
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You are depressed
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Failing once is followed by fear of subsequent failure
Repair any damage to couples relationship, as related to history of ED.
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You partner has sexual problems
Improve sexual arousal techniques and refine psychosexual skills.
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You are worried about your sexual orientation
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You have suffered previous sexual abuse
ED is also correlated with marital discord in approximately 25 percent of couples, so regardless of the cause, seeking the help of a trained couples’ therapist can be extremely beneficial. Happy wife happy life has never been more true!
Psychogenic How can psychological factors cause ED? When a person experiences feelings of anxiety or fear of not meeting the sexual expectations (both real and imagined) of a partner, the brain releases adrenal substances (epinephrine and norepinephrine). When the brain has released these substances it causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels, including those required to perfuse the penis. In other words, performance anxiety is the beginning of a domino effect, which eventually becomes a cycle. Anxiety leads to fear of losing erection, which triggers the release of adrenaline, and this causes erectile dysfunction. Worse, this can be a self-perpetuating cycle, as an instance of ED often leads to performance anxiety, leading to further ED. The way I explain it to the couples I’ve worked with is that anxiety, or fear, are closely linked with the body’s fight-or-flight response. By the time you realize that you’re feeling anxious, your brain has already flooded your body with adrenal substances to respond to the external “threat”. It doesn’t know the difference between fear of failure and fear of
Using the stop/start method with a partner, improve comfort with loss of erection as well as increases confidence that erection can be achieved after loss.
Sexual Health and Healing with Dianna Palimere, PhD, LCSW Dr. Dianna Palimere is a Psychosexual Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been working in the field of mental health for the past 18 years, dedicating the past 16 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, visit her website: www.SexTherapyInDelaware.com Join her on Facebook, keywords: Sex Therapy in Delaware.
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The Boredom Paradox Suzanne Eder
I recently exchanged emails with a brilliant colleague about a dynamic that is frustratingly familiar to many brilliant people in their quest for a passionate and meaningful life. It goes something like this: Your life is pretty good but you feel restless. You sense there is a far more alive and passionate life you could be living, and your keen and active mind often generates inspired ideas for that kind of life - which you don’t act upon. Either the ideas themselves are fleeting and seemingly insubstantial – they’re here and then they’re gone, like the light of a firefly at dusk – or they seem so big that you feel defeated by the sheer amount of work it would take to realize them. Or maybe you just don’t know where to start in bringing them to life. And so you don’t do anything with them. You keep living the same life you’ve been living and you feel…bored. Unfulfilled. Underutilized. Maybe a little cranky. No two people are alike, of course, but I’ve learned a few things about boredom after decades of helping people create deeply fulfilling lives. Like so much in life, boredom is a bit of a paradox: it is both a call to change and a barrier to change. Once you understand that, you can intentionally choose to follow the call and ignore the barrier. Let’s look at the call of boredom. It is the unexpressed desire for enlivening change which arises from the recognition that you’re not thrilled with where you are. As I wrote in April’s column (Making Peace with Desire), you are an extension of Source, whose eternal impulse to create is the very essence of desire. Your desires are Divine inspirations to creatively express more and more of who you are. They are natural, lifegiving and essential. 24
So the feeling of boredom is a call to honor your desires, which is a really good thing. Yet it arises because you’re focused on your life as it is now, which isn’t exactly what you want it to be. And because of the power of focus - what we focus on is what expands in our lives - when you’re focused on what you don’t like, you expand – or continue – what you don’t like. That’s the barrier. So the feeling of boredom stimulates desire, but the focus on what bores us keeps us right where we are. Added to that is the lightning-swift tendency many people have to judge any desire they have as impractical, irresponsible, unimportant or just plain crazy, not to mention the crushing tendency to judge themselves as not having what it takes to realize their desires, anyway. And the energy of judgment, in any form and directed toward anyone or anything, is always diminishing and depleting. Always. Talk about a barrier! So if you’re a teensy bit bored with your life right now, where does that leave you…besides in good company? It leaves you with a golden opportunity to create a new, self-loving approach that can help you follow the call of desire arising from boredom without getting tangled up in the barrier. First, a few reminders of basic energy dynamics: What you focus on, and what you accept as true, is what shows up in your life. The way you feel is an indicator of the degree to which you’re in harmony with your true desires.
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Your true desires don’t arise from your brain. They arise from your heart.
Trust Your Inner Guidance to Lead You Step by Step
The energy of self-judgment will never, ever get you where you want to go.
Honor more and more of your authentic impulses, rather than all of your “shoulds.” Be lovingly present with yourself and be willing to act on your intuitive nudges. Follow your own energy.
With these in mind, your new approach to dealing with boredom looks something like this: Make a Vow Vow to suspend all self-judgment and to recognize, honor and cultivate your heartfelt desires. Love What Is Practice genuinely appreciating yourself and your life as it is right now. The energy of appreciation is loving, expansive and in full harmony with your heartfelt desires. Appreciation turns boredom into acceptance, which is the opposite of resistance. And I’m not just talking about acceptance of what is, but acceptance of your innate goodness and your Divine power to create something new. Appreciate your brilliant mind and all of its wonderful ideas! It’s an ideagenerating powerhouse. But don’t force yourself into action until you’ve consulted with your heart. The mind creates options; the heart reveals true direction. Rewrite the Past And now that we’re talking about not forcing yourself into action, appreciate yourself for not having done so in the past. You weren’t lazy. You knew at some level that riding the waves of heartfelt desires is a far greater, richer and more fulfilling experience than analyzing options, making a logical choice and marching forward to its completion. Instead of making yourself do something just for the sake of doing it, you’ve been wisely waiting for the emergence of your true, life-giving desires. Listen to Your Heart Give yourself time and space to listen inward. What is your heart of hearts whispering to you now? If you gave yourself full permission to want what you really want, what might that be? It could be one of the options your mind generated, or it could be something completely different. It could be far grander than you’ve allowed yourself to imagine, or far simpler. Remember, no judgment!
This will take some practice, especially if you’ve been in the habit of managing your life and your schedule tightly. Rest assured that impulses arising from true inner guidance are direct and simple, even if they’re a bit unexpected. You might have an impulse to call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, or go to a matinee instead of walking up and down the stairs 50 times to get your step count up to 10,000, or meditate in your garden for the first time. The simple choice to honor these impulses moves you into the natural rhythm of your life, in which your timing is perfect for receiving the ideas and opportunities that bring your desires to life. Oh, and these natural impulses arise only when you’re feeling centered and clear. So commit first and foremost to feeling as good as you can, as often as you can.
This is, admittedly, a much-abbreviated description of what loving yourself through boredom looks like. There is so much more that could be offered and explored about each element. And depending on how committed you already are to loving yourself through life, any one of them could seem, initially, quite foreign or challenging, or both. The exploration, understanding and following of inner guidance can seem particularly difficult in a culture that prizes cool rationality and logical, data-supported action. Even so, I know you already know how to do everything I’ve just reminded you to do, because it’s innate to your Being. You are meant to live an inspired and fulfilling life, and the beauty of boredom is that it’s meant to remind you of that. Let boredom be your signal to fully appreciate who you are right now and all you’ve created and, paradoxically, let it also nudge you to get curious about which aspects of your brilliant Self want to emerge next. It just gets better from here…
If what you want feels “big” and seems as if it will require a lot of work, replace the word “work” with “energy and focus,” and remind yourself that the desire itself is your source of energy and focus. Remind yourself, too, that you’re not in a race to the finish! Life is the ongoing experience – dare I say the journey? - of bringing desires to fruition, and with each realized desire new desires are born. Relax and enjoy the ride. If what you want seems “small” and you’re disappointed that it’s not some big, life-changing desire, remind yourself that honoring any desire connects you with all desires and reinforces your sense of worthiness to be happy. Relax and enjoy the ride. www.livingwellmagazine.net
Formerly a successful finance director in the corporate world, Suzanne Eder is now an award-winning writer, healer, transformational teacher and personal guide. She completed a comprehensive 4-year program in mind-body-spirit healing at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, and she has devoted her life and work to an ever-deepening understanding of how to create deeply fulfilled lives through an understanding of our spiritual nature. She was a featured speaker at the 2015 TEDxWilmington conference and her popular talk is available on YouTube. She offers inspired and practical counsel in all areas related to personal growth and transformation. Visit her at www.suzanneeder.com or email her for more information at suzanne@suzanneeder.com.
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RECIPES BY THE BOOK
Blackberry, Beet & *Za’atar Goat Cheese Salad Nothing reminds me more of England than all the gorgeous berries and autumnal fruit we produce in abundance. I like to combine Middle Eastern ingredients with Western produce if the flavors work, and this combination does exactly that with sweet but tart blackberries with creamy soft goat-cheese balls dusted in my beloved herb mix, za’atar. This is now one of my favorite fall salads, and once you try it, you'll see why. 7oz soft goat cheese 2 to 3 tablespoons Za’atar Blend 5½oz mixed salad leaves 10½oz cooked beets (not in vinegar), quartered 9oz blackberries (reserve 6 for the dressing) freshly ground black pepper
From the Best-selling author of Persiana, a stellar collection of vegetable-centric recipes inspired by flavors of the Middle-East BAZAAR {THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER} Vibrant vegetarian recipes by Sabrina Ghayour
For the dressing 6 blackberries (reserved from the salad ingredients) 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil pinch of Maldon sea salt flakes
Bazaar is a colorful, flavourful and satisfying celebration of vegetable dishes, designed tosuit every occasion and every palate. The magic of this cookbook is that you won’t feel like anything is missing, with dishes full of easy-to-achieve flavors and depth that would win over even the most die-hard carnivore. Each recipe utilizes the abundance of varied flavour profiles of the East, from spices, herbs and perfumed aromatics to hearty staples such as grains and pulses, combined with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. You will find salads for all seasons, spectacular sides, bowl comfort, moreish mains and sweet treats.
Serves 4 to 6 First make the dressing. In a small bowl or using a mortar and pestle, bash 6 of the blackberries until puréed, then add the vinegar, olive oil, and salt. Mix well and set aside. To prepare the salad, divide the goat cheese into 12 equal-sized cubes and roll them into smooth balls. Lightly dust with the za’atar blend then roll each between your palms to ensure the za'atar sticks to the surface. Set the balls on a plate and refrigerate until needed.
Recipes include: Grilled halloumi flatbreads with preserved lemon & barberry salsa Roasted tomato & chilli soup with herb-fried croutons Roast vegetable bastilla Grilled tofu salad with tamarind & miso dressing Potato, ricotta & herb dumplings with walnuts & pul biber butter Feta, pul biber & oregano macaroni bake Courgette, orange & almond cake with sweet yogurt frosting
When you’re ready to serve, select a large, wide board or platter and spread the salad greens across it. Arrange the beet quarters and the blackberries around the board or plate, then season with pepper and drizzle with the dressing. Lastly, dot with the goat cheese balls and serve immediately.
Available: Amazon Barnes & Noble
*Za’atar Goat Cheese is simply goat cheese rolled in mediterranean spices. For the za´atar blend see the recipe for Za’atar-Rubbed Pittasfollowing this recipe. Image on next page.
Photo credit Kris Kirkham Published by Mitchell Beazley 26
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Blackberry, Beet & *Za’atar Goat Cheese Salad www.livingwellmagazine.net
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Za’atar-Rubbed Pittas This is my take on a popular Lebanese flatbread snack called maneesh. If I’m honest, I have a pitta addiction, and rubbing the top of pitta bread with za’atar and olive oil is absolutely delicious. Za’atar wasn’t something I used much until I became a chef, and I never fully understood its potential until I started using it at home. This versatile herb blend can be used with bread, salads, and cheese, as well as in marinades and rubs, and so much more. For the za’atar blend ¼ cup dried wild thyme ⅓ cup dried wild oregano ⅓ cup dried marjoram 2 tablespoons sumac 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, lightly toasted 1 tablespoon Maldon sea salt flakes MAKES 1 JAR 3 tablespoons olive oil, for the za’atar oil For the pitta bread ⅛oz (½ envelope) instant yeast ⅔ cup lukewarm water 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 2 tablespoons olive oil MAKES 6 To make the za’atar blend, use a spice or coffee grinder to grind the thyme, oregano, and marjoram together just until they break down (you can also use a mortar and pestle, but it won't work as well). Decant the mixture into a bowl, stir in the sumac, sesame seeds, and salt, then pour into an airtight container. It will last for up to a year if stored in a dark, cool, dry place. To make a za'atar oil, combine 4 teaspoons of the za'atar blend with the olive oil. Stir well and set aside.
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To make the pitta bread, dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water and let stand for 5 minutes. Put the flour, salt, and olive oil into a mixing bowl, add the yeast mixture and mix together with your hands to form a dough. Knead the dough in the bowl for a few minutes, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand somewhere warm for 1 hour to rise. Divide the dough into 6 equal balls. Lightly dust your work surface with flour and roll out each ball of dough into a disk about ¼ inch thick. Let the disks rest for 10 minutes.
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June 2019
When you are ready to cook the pitta bread, place a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, place a dough disk into it (without any oil) and cook for about 45 seconds on one side, or until the edges begin to come away from the pan. Then flip it over and cook for a further 30 to 45 seconds, or until very lightly browned. Keep the pitta warm while you cook the remaining dough disks in the same way. Divide the za’atar oil equally between the 6 hot pittas and rub it into the surface. Serve immediately.
Spiced Buttermilk fried tomatoes This is definitely one of my better ideas. When I made my mother try it, with her first bite she smiled and said, “How on earth do you come up with this stuff?” Rest assured, this is her unique way of paying a compliment. My only advice is, don’t be tempted to use ripe tomatoes for this recipe. Here, the firmer and more underripe, the better. vegetable oil, for frying 1⅔ cups best-quality polenta (not quick-cook) 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 teaspoons garlic granules 2 teaspoons sumac 4 large tomatoes, such as beefsteak tomatoes 3 tablespoons dried wild oregano Maldon sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper Serves 4 to 6 Pour enough vegetable oil into a large, deep skillet or saucepan to fill to a depth of about 1 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat and bring to frying temperature (add a little polenta; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is hot enough). Line a plate with a double layer of paper towels. Pour the polenta onto a plate and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk with the cayenne pepper, garlic granules, sumac, and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Cut the tomatoes into slices ½ inch thick (I usually get about 4 slices per tomato). Polenta doesn't stick to the skin very easily, so discard the ends. Drag a tomato slice through the buttermilk and shake off any excess liquid, then place it gently in the polenta and coat the cut sides and the edges as best you can, carefully patting the polenta onto the slice to encrust it. Lower it carefully into the hot oil, then repeat with the remaining tomato slices, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Gently fry the slices for about 1 minute on each side, or until they start to brown. If they brown too fast, your oil is too hot, in which case, turn off the heat and cook a few slices. Then, when the oil returns to the right temperature, turn the heat back on. Remove the slices from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to the prepared plate to drain. Sprinkle with some salt and scatter with the oregano. Serve the tomatoes hot. www.livingwellmagazine.net
June 2019
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Jenifer Jurden is the CHO (Chief Happy Officer) of SHOUT b cause, LLC and the creator of JurdyÂŽ, the cartoon hero of hopes, dreams and happy-ness. Jurdy spreads the word about anti-bullying, great choices and living a happy life through the use of humor and positive outlooks. Follow Jurdy on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or at: www.jurdy.com
Helping you see a better tomorrow
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HOW TO BE YOUR OWN HOME INSPECTOR The ugly truth about selling your house is that it will feel like an emo�onal roller coaster. One minute you are excited to get on market, the next you are worried if buyers will pay what you are asking. When the house goes under contract, your feelings of joy fade quickly as your mind races about home inspec�ons. One way to ease the concerns of all both par�es is to do a pre-home inspec�on to avoid any unnecessary repairs that an Inspector will call out. Ready to begin? Grab a legal pad and a pencil and start inspec�ng the following: Doors: Make sure they open and close Windows: Test all windows and look for any cracks or damage Bathrooms: Check all toilets to make sure they are secure. Be sure water drains easily in tub/shower and the sink Electric: Check that outlets are working Consider Pre-Inspec�ons for:
HVAC: Change the HVAC filters Faucets: Make sure there are no drips Smoke Detectors: Be sure they are in place and working Paint: Touch up paint where needed
Schedule Service calls for:
Sep�c
Heater
Well
Air Condi�oner
Well Water
Chimney
Stucco
Handrails: Fix any loose hand rails
Radon
Electric fireplace: Test it to make sure it is working for inspector
Wood Destroying Inspects
Gu�ers: Clean the gu�ers
Roof
Clear access for inspector to inspect all areas of the house
Being pro-ac�ve is always best. Once the home inspec�on nego�a�ons are complete, it is important to keep all receipts and warran�es for repairs that were made. The buyer should receive all of this informa�on when they are comple�ng the final walk-through. Happy Inspec�ng!
Are you selling your house?? Email us To request a copy of our booklet
“21 Tips to SELL Your House”
HelloMoreBVhomes@gmail.com
Madeline Dobbs is the Founder of More BV Homes, a concierge real estate business, serving friends in the Brandywine Valley of DE & PA. Self-described as the love-child of legendary Interior Designer Dorothy Draper and Mad Men character Don Draper, she is also the biological child of two Realtors. She is the author of 21 Tips to Sell Your Home and “How to Sell a House in 30 Days!” www.livingwellmagazine.net
June 2019
21 TIPS to SELL Your House
MadelineDobbs, Realtor 302.798.1000 x 3104 moremadelinedobbs@gmail.com www.moreBVhomes.com Morebvhomes
