Winter 2014
Girls on the Run Acts of Kindness Heart of the Matter 1
Meet Toni Watson When did you start to run? I started running in 1995 after years of being a swimmer.
How do you feel when you run? When I run I feel strong, accomplished, and empowered. It instantly puts me in a happy mood, and I love how I feel when I’m done.
Tell us how you incorporate a healthy lifestyle in your home. My family and I try to exercise daily and make sure we eat healthy. I have been a student of nutrition a long time and I am always trying to learn more so we make healthy choices for our diets. Every year we plant a vegetable and herb garden, which brings fresh food all summer and fall.
Give us your Top 5 runs. New York City Marathon Boston Marathon Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon Quad Dipsea Vineman Ironman Triathlon
What was your favorite run? The New York City Marathon was an unbelievable experience and by far my favorite, followed by Boston, which is very dear to my heart.
What is your next goal? My next goal is to someday do the Kona Triathlon. Also, I would like to go back to school and study Health/Nutrition so I can teach children the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
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To the Heart of the Matter
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Girls On The Run Barry School Stands for the Silent
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Local Bride Shares the Beauty of her Wedding with Hospice Patients Random Acts of Kindness Payton's Birthday Quilters Give Comfort to Our Community
Healthy Recipes for your Heart and Soul
in every issue 26
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Getting to Know Me
21 14 www.meandminemagazine.com Me and Mine magazine is an LLC and its information, format and designs are protected by copyright laws. Any reproduction of content, photography or arrangement is not permitted unless written permission is granted by the publisher of the magazine.
on the cover Toni Watson Photographed by Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography
Contributing authors and photographers are responsible for content and accuracy in their submissions and Me and Mine Magazine, its founders or members assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Me and Mine Magazine, LLC, Š Copyright 2014
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Thank you to our contributors! Brandi Schwartz Design & Photography brandischwartz.com
Jennifer Jaeger Traynham Publisher Rona Desmond Marketing & Advertising Executive
Eleakis & Elder Photography eleakis.com
Fritzie Rhody Marketing & Advertising Executive
Heather Smith Photography heathersmithphoto.com
Rena Mathews Marketing & Advertising Executive
Special Moments Photography myspecialmomentsphotography.com
Jessica Jaeger Editor
Happy New Year to every one of our precious readers!!
or most of us, the New Year serves as a starting point…a symbol of new beginnings. We leap at the
that are helping strengthen the minds of our youth, giving them the
opportunity for change, growth and a new happiness.
tools to recognize and accept their own self-worth while providing
In the spirit of moving toward a life that feels deliciously
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In this issue, we have gathered our favorite powerful organizations
extraordinary skills to stop bullying. We’ve also included good news
good, complete, and passionate, start right where you are and
on the importance of taking care of your heart. Doesn’t exercise and
focus on the present. Sometimes we make a big leap forward and
eating healthy for our body’s health and peace of mind, sound like
sometimes we don’t; both are terrific, because everything we do is
a better plan? Rather than focusing on fitting into “skinny” jeans,
really just practice! Practice can be woven into every piece of our
be confident that you’re making lifestyle decisions that not only help
lives. What is it that you desire the most? To be an amazing chef
your body, but also are good for your heart, mind and soul. Let’s
or a runner? To learn to love your body? To be more kind or less
make a vow to be kind to ourselves and take time to help each other.
judgmental? Every little thing we do or wish for can be viewed as a
We all have challenges in life; areas needing consistent love, focus,
practice. By embracing the idea of practice, our lives can begin to
and nurturing. Start off each day with the intention of meeting
change. Nothing has to be taken too seriously, because we’re just
yourself and others halfway. Embrace the similarities and learn from
practicing! This allows us to grow organically because we get out of
each other’s differences. Dedicate yourself to your practice and know
our own way. As growing beings, every ounce of who we are delivers
that anything you may encounter on your journey is a part of it. Be
a clarity and strength needed to achieve our own change, growth,
kind and gentle with yourself because after all — it’s just practice!
happiness, and positive energy.
Cheers!
Me & Mine
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To the
Heart of the Matter By Patrick K. Griffith, MD,FACS, MBA Photography By Mark Bradley
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. Studies also reveal that one out of four women die from heart disease. The most common type of heart disease is the build up of plaque (such as fats, cholesterol, and calcium) in the blood vessels of the heart. This accumulation of plaque results in injury or inflammation of the blood vessels, causing decreased blood flow to the heart. Once this occurs, we refer to this as a heart attack.
will list several of the most common causes for this inflammatory change and how to reduce the build up of plaque in the blood vessels. But it is up to you to find out if you are at risk for heart disease. Some causes of heart disease include: Hypertension (high blood pressure), with a systolic pressure (top number) greater than 120mmHg and/or a diastolic pressure (bottom number) of greater than 80 mmHg. Hypertension requires the heart to work harder, and causes inflammation of the blood vessels to the heart, kidneys, and brain, as well as other organs. This will cause plaque formation in the blood vessels. Hyperlipidemia (high fat content in the blood) such as cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and VLDL results in plaque formation and obstruction of the blood vessels. Diabetes Mellitus or hyperglycemia (high glucose or sugar in the blood) inflames and injures the small blood vessels of the body. These include vessels to the brain, heart, kidneys, and legs. Smoking causes changes in the heart, resulting in narrowing or constricting of blood vessels. This is what we call ischemia, or poor blood flow to various organs.
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Family History. Some individuals are more prone to heart disease and have an increased risk for a heart attack (myocardial infarction). You are at increased risk if your father developed coronary disease (blockage of the heart vessels) prior to 55 years old or your mother prior to 60 years old. Stress affects all humans. However, many studies report women are three times more likely to develop heart disease due to marital stress than men. This may be why we see more examples of broken heart syndrome in women than men. There are two other types of heart disease that are more common in women and are being studied more intensely. These are: Coronary Microvascular Disease: believed to result from the decrease in estrogen during menopause. Combined with the risk factors above, there is an increased risk of plaque formation. Broken Heart Syndrome: studies are revealing increased levels of stress lead to heart failure, but no findings of plaque in the blood vessels. Over a brief period of time the heart returns to normal function. It is unclear to date why this finding is most common in women.
So what do we do about all this information? My first recommendation is for you to identify your risk. You should obtain a record of your blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose levels, and family history. It goes without saying (but I will say it anyway) that if you smoke, you need to stop…but only if you care about your heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, oral cavity, esophagus, adrenal glands, stomach, and overall health. The power of gathering any information is knowing what to do with it. There are several preventive actions that will require your full attention and discipline to be effective. The only risk factor you have no control over is family history, but with the knowledge of this risk, you can address the other risks at an earlier age to prolong your life. The keys to maximizing heart function include: Deliberate Exercise. You need to exercise at least four days a week for at least thirty minutes a day to achieve the goal of reducing your heart risk. Food Intake. Notice I did not say diet, as this denotes a temporary activity over a defined period of time. If you are serious
about heart health, you need to maintain a lifelong habit of eating a balanced caloric intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that have high nutritional value. Avoid processed or fried foods and have fruits and/ or vegetables with every meal. Learn more about low glycemic foods (maintaining a stable blood glucose level in the bloodstream), as they are better for you. Sleep. It is well documented that sleep provides beneficial effects for heart health as well as our brain, mood, and activity output throughout the day. It is recommended that you average at least seven hours of sleep per night. Meditation/Quiet Time. This may be the essential means of how we are able to combat stress, regardless of its origin. Meditation
has been the focus of many psychology studies with astounding results. Meditation yields statistically significant improvements in cognitive function and critical thinking, adaptability to difficult situations, reduction in levels and frequency of depression, normalization of blood pressure, and reduction in development of coronary disease among many other benefits that result in a healthy heart. Now that we know the risk factors of heart disease, in addition to steps we can take to protect our heart, it is imperative that we take this information and use it to our advantage to make ourselves, our family, and our friends heart healthy. It will result in a long and enjoyable life.
Dr. Patrick Griffith has combined extensive experience and skill with the most advanced technologies and procedures to provide complete surgical care for complex diseases of the heart, chest and lungs. He has over 20 years of cardiac and thoracic surgery experience. He has performed over 3,000 open heart procedures and over 1000 lung procedures, including general thoracic surgery and video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Dr. Griffith is Board Certified by The American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and by the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. He is the Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Rideout. His board certification qualifies him to perform lung operations for cancer and infection, transplants, coronary bypass and valve operations, including complex mitral valve repairs, pediatric heart operations, and vascular surgery. Also, Electrophysiologic Surgery – including the Cox-Maze procedure and pain control operations with Transmyocardial Revascularization. He has also established a minimally invasive valve program at the Heart Center at Rideout. RideoutCardioThoracic.org
ACL Tears in Young Females by Torben Ulrich, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, Director/Owner of Integrated Physical Therapy
As the number of females participating in sports such as...grow, so do the number of knee injuries.1. These injuries occur in sports where the athletes are required to do many jumps, stops, and cuts. One of the most common injuries in these sports is a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL2. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 46,000 female athletes age 19 and younger experienced a sprain/strain of the ACL in 2006, nearly 30,000 of those injuries required reconstructive surgery, and 70% of all ACL injuries involve little or no contact with other players2. According to Boston’s Children’s Hospital, girls are five to eight times more likely to suffer this type of injury than boys3. The reasons seem to be unclear, but according to American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, there are numerous factors. First, as females reach puberty, they do not increase lower extremity muscle mass like boys do, and thus have less stability at the hips and knees. Second, females tend to have wider hips in relationship to their knees, thus increasing stress on the ACL and the knee joint. Third, females can have genu valgum, or be “knock-kneed.” During jumping activities, females with genu valgum are more likely to land in a position that increases stress on the knee ligaments, especially the ACL. Finally, the amount of hormones at puberty may cause laxity not only in the ACL, but all ligaments of the lower extremity4.
Sources 1. L aBella CR, Huxford MR, Grissom J, et. al. Effect of Neuromuscular Warm-Up on Injuries in Female Soccer and Basketball Athletes in Urban Public High Schools. Arch Ped & Adolesc Med. 2011;165(11):1033-1040. 2. N ational Institutes of Health Medicine Plus. An Athlete’s Nightmare: Tearing the ACL. Accessed November 7, 2013 3. C antu, Kristin. Girls’ Soccer ACL Injuries Are Preventable. Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatrics. http://childrenshospitalblog.org/girls-soccer-aclinjuries-are-preventable/.Published February 8, 2010. Accessed Novemeber 7, 2013.
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A 2011 study in the Journal Sports Health found that there are four ways to reduce the risk of ACL injury. Proper leg muscle strength training and core stabilization exercises, proper education on jumping and landing and avoiding any straight knee landing, proper balance and speed training along with plyometric training, orthotics for proper alignment of the lower quarter, and physical therapists who specialize in these injuries and prevention programs for teams and individuals can all help reduce the risk of injuring the ACL.
4. G riffin LY, et al. Noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries: risk factors and prevention strategies” J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg. 2000; 8:141-150. oyes F, Barber Westin S. Anterior Cruciate 5. N Ligament Prevention Training in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review of Injury Reduction and Results of Athletic Performance Tests at n. 1, 12, 17. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Published online December 13, 2011 as DOI: 10.1177/194173811430203 (accessed November 7, 2013) 6. S anta Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Research Foundation, ACL Injury Prevention Project.
A prevention program from Santa Monica Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Group5 is what we focus on in our clinic for this type of prevention. It consists of a warm-up, stretching, strengthening, plyometrics, and sport specific agilities to address potential deficits in the strength and coordination of the stabilizing muscles around the knee joint. It is important to use proper technique during all of the exercises. The coaches, trainers, and physical therapist need to emphasize correct posture, straight up and down jumps without excessive side-to-side movement, and reinforce soft landings to prevent further injuries.
Torben Ulrich PT, DPT, FAAOMPT is the Director and owner of Integrated Physical Therapy. He holds his Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. Ulrich has over 17 years of sports and orthopedic experience.
by Karen Peters Photography by Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography
irls on the Run® is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. Our mission statement is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident. Meeting twice a week in small teams of 8-15 girls, we teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The 24-lesson curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and includes three parts: understanding ourselves, valuing relationships and teamwork, and understanding how we connect with and shape the world at large. Running is used to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. Important social, psychological, and physical skills and abilities are developed and reinforced through the program. At each season’s conclusion, the girls and their running buddies complete a 5k running event, which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The result? Making the seemingly impossible possible, and teaching girls that they can do something if they really put their minds to it and work hard. The program blends the lessons on girls’ development - physical, mental, emotional and social - with “uplifting” training for runs. The messages are tailored for girls ages 8 to 12, while they’re still receptive to what adults say but also feeling the pull of their peers. The goal is to reduce risky activities like adolescent sex, substance abuse, and unhealthy eating. The program is divided into Girls on the Run, for third- through fifthgraders, and Girls on Track, for sixth- through eighth-graders. All girls are welcome to join, though teams are limited to 15 people to ensure a
quality program. We have a sliding scale fee based on ability to pay. We are honored to have many community supporters help bridge the gaps between the cost of the program and the scholarships needed by the young ladies in our area. Girls on the Run holds two sessions per year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Girls are invited to join any team, which fill up very quickly. We invite parents, teachers, and community members to become coaches as we have many more girls wanting to participate than we have spots available. Coaches are provided all the training they will need to lead their team through this life-changing journey, and they do not need to be runners themselves, just willing to inspire young ladies to be the best they can be! Girls are encouraged to discover themselves and learn self-acceptance. As one girl put it, “I learned to be the boss of my brain.” Designed to allow every girl to recognize her inner strength, the Girls on the Run curriculum inspires girls to define their lives on their own terms. Throughout the season, the girls make new friends, build their confidence, and celebrate all that makes them unique. The Girls on the Run lessons encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development. Participants e,xplore and discuss their own beliefs around experiences and challenges they face at this age. They also develop important strategies and skills to help them navigate life experiences. We start with helping the girls get a better understanding of who they are and what’s important to them. Then, we look at the importance of teamwork and healthy relationships. Finally, the girls explore how they can positively connect with and shape the world.
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Physical activity is woven into our program to inspire an appreciation of fitness and to build habits that lead to a lifetime of health. At the end of each three month session, the girls participate in a Girls on the Run 5k event. This celebratory, non-competitive event is the culminating experience of the curriculum. Completing the 5k gives the girls a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment, as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Crossing the finish line is a defining moment when the girls realize that even the seemingly impossible IS possible.
yourself. We’ve learned that just because someone is different doesn’t mean you have nothing in common and can’t be friends.” - GOTR Participant
But maybe the girls can say it better themselves:
“I like Girls on the Run because you get to meet new friends. I also like that you get to do fun games and exercises. I believe I met 9-10 NEW friends at Girls on the Run. I learned that all girls are skilled. It doesn’t matter your color, size, hair color, and everything else. All girls should work together or do good things. Girls are skilled, smart, and one more thing...COOL!” - Tatyana, GOTR participant
“Girls on the Run is mostly about finding/being
“GOTR helped me feel comfortable in my own
skin and to know which friends are true.” -Mallie, GOTR participant “Mrs. J. taught me how to pace myself, not just in running, but in life.” - GOTR participant “From this program I have learned that you don’t have to be the most athletic, the skinniest, or the smartest person to be the best you can be. I’ve learned I shouldn’t compare myself to others because everyone is different.” Sarah, GOTR participant “I learned that you’re beautiful on the inside and even if you don’t think you are on the outside, you are.” - 3rd grader from GOTR
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BARRY SCHOOL STANDS FOR THE
Photography by Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography
INTERVIEW WITH BEN MOSS, PRINCIPAL OF BARRY SCHOOL
Barry School in Yuba City is making a difference by kicking off an anti-bullying campaign on their campus. They are the first school in the Yuba City Unified School District to have a program that addresses bullying and discrimination. 9
When and why did the school decide to participate in an anti-bullying campaign?
At Barry, we know that the school is the heart of its community. We also know that bullying exists on every school campus. Prevention and education is critical to fostering a climate of acceptance and caring. Last school year, parents, teachers, and administrators at Barry wanted to do something more to address the incidents of bullying that were occurring between students on our campus. As a team, we did a lot of research on the various anti-bullying programs that are available to schools. We selected the “Stand for the Silent” program due to its message of inclusion and love for all students. The program embraces and offers support for the victim, the student who is bullying, and the bystanders who witness it. It addresses the action from the aspect of a behavior that must not be accepted in the culture of the student body, acknowledges that all students need to feel safe
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and loved, and that we are all SOMEBODY.
against a student who had been bullying him for over two years.
Our school is the first school in YCUSD to have this safe and civil program that addresses bullying and discrimination. We kicked off the program with a school-wide rally on August 28th, which raised awareness and featured district and community guests, students, staff, parents, music, games, prizes and ended with a balloon release. Some of Barry’s own courageous students spoke about their own personal experience with bullying.
Stand for the Silent exists as a platform to offer the education and tools which will prevent their tragedy from happening to another child and family. Kirk and Laura’s mission is to continue to change kids’ lives and bring awareness to bullying and the real devastation that it causes. In March 2011, they met privately with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at The White House prior to attending the first ever White House conference on bullying. Their program is currently reaching over 700,000 students across America, as well as other countries around the world.
Tell us about the program.
Stand for the Silent was started in 2010 by a group of students from the Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City Upward Bound Chapter after they heard the story of Kirk and Laura Smalley’s son, Ty Field-Smalley. At the age of eleven, Ty took his own life after being suspended from school for retaliating
Have you seen a change in your school’s morale since starting the program?
Yes, we have seen students standing up for each other more often now, reacting in a more positive manner to situations, and taking a stand against bullying. I know all students want to have confidence in who they are, feel good about themselves, and
be accepted for who they are. There is so much more focus and awareness around our campus this year, and the students and staff are making it a part of our culture here at Barry. Do you have a special story you would like to share with us about the benefits of the program?
During our kick-off rally in August, a sixth-grade female student got up and spoke about how much she had been bullied at her previous school. It almost brought the crowd of teachers, staff, and parents to tears to hear how she was treated. She also spoke about how she still has trouble with her self-esteem from the incident, because she was bullied so badly. It really put the goal of this program into perspective. These students DO need a program of this kind to set guidelines and expectations for their personal actions. We also heard of a fifth-grade student who, when faced with a large group of peers making fun of a student with special needs, bravely voiced her support of the victim and stopped the behavior by standing up for what was right. What has been the best thing about this program?
The best thing about this program is that it addresses a need for all students: their safety and emotional well-being. It also brings the campus closer together as a
whole. At Barry, we pride ourselves on being a large family. We know we do not always get along with one another, but we accept that and know that we care about each other. This program has set a higher standard for our campus to follow. We want to maintain that awareness throughout the whole year, not just at the beginning of the school year or at a single rally.
BUILDING FOR YOU
Do you think it has helped not only the students, but the teachers and parents as well?
We have had tremendous parental support for this program. The parents have been coming to our rallies and giving us positive feedback. Parents were excited to hear about an anti-bullying program being put into place. Teachers have incorporated the SFTS Pledge into their daily routines. Students seem proud to all be part of the SFTS pledge and to wear their T-shirts on Fridays. Would you encourage other schools to participate in this program?
Yes! I think every school should have a program that addresses having a safe and civil campus. SFTS is about supporting each other, embracing the victim of bullying by giving them hope and a voice, and knowing that you will have a friend if bullying does occur. Unfortunately, bullying happens on every campus, and realistically, we aren’t going to be able to completely stop instances of students acting inappropriately towards each other at all times. But we can teach students how to react positively, and how to stand up for themselves and each other. We can provide the resources and the guidance to set the standard for positive student behavior that will hopefully instill a lifelong outcome of successful social interactions.
Rideout Regional Medical Center A modern State-of-the-art healthcare facility to serve you better
Presenting
Good Medicine Right Here at Home For more than a century, the physicians, nurses and staff of Rideout Health have been committed to delivering quality healthcare and services to the people of Yuba-Sutter. Caring for our community is our highest calling. Several years ago, we set a course to transform our organization into a regional model of integrated medical services — including emergency, acute, primary and specialty medicine, from maternity to senior living. We’ve made major investments in infrastructure, technology and people that is already delivering a variety and quality of care rarely found in the community of this size. Our footprint in historic Marysville is expanding dramatically. We’ve already doubled the size of the Rideout Cancer Center, one of our partnerships with UC Davis Health System and greatly enlarged the Rideout Emergency Department. Our ED is a certified Level III Trauma and a STEMI-receiving center, able to handle the most serious forms of heart attacks. In spring 2015, construction of the six-story addition to the hospital will be complete and the new Rideout Regional Medical Center will be fully operational. In Yuba City, the Rideout Surgery Center houses a variety of specialty clinics, including orthopedics, thoracic oncology, pain management and ENT; and Rideout Senior Living has facilities for skilled nursing, assisted living and Alzheimer’s/dementia care.
RideoutHealth.org | f/FremontRideout
Shares the Beauty of her Wedding with Hospice Patients More than 25 flower arrangements were delivered to Sutter North Hospice patients by Sutter North volunteers, all because of a bride’s wish. The bride, Angelika Corchado, with Sutter Health, donated the bouquets to give back to hospice, an organization that provided tremendous help to her family in their time of need.. Delivery of these beautiful flowers would not have been possible without the help of Kevin at the The Country Florist and the generous volunteers at Sutter North Hospice. The bouquets were a simple way to brighten someone’s day and enjoy a conversation with patients. Sutter North Hospice serves patients in the greater Yuba-Sutter area faced with terminal illness who choose to focus on quality and comfort measures. Services offered treat the whole person and their family, addressing psychosocial, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. Hospice patients are under the care of an interdisciplinary team which includes a Medical Director, registered nurses (pain and symptom management), home health aides (bathing, hygiene and grooming), spiritual support, medical social workers, bereavement support, and volunteer services for companionship. Photography by Eleakis & Elder Photography I am a Community Benefit Associate for Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region and have been employed through Sutter for over nine years. My husband and I were also together for nine years before we married on October 12th. We chose Peach Tree Golf and Country Club for our venue, and everything turned out great. I might have had a leg up on other brides, though, because I already knew all my vendors. Prior to becoming a regional employee, I worked for Sutter Medical Foundation in Yuba City for the vast majority of my time at Sutter, and part of my duties included event planning, which made the big details of my wedding very easy on me. How did you think of the idea of sharing your wedding flowers with hospice patients? As I was going through my wedding planning, I was posed with the question of what to do with the flowers after the wedding. The obvious choice was to let family and
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friends take them home. But then I remembered that a few years ago at an event for Sutter, we were able to donate the flowers to hospice patients. My husband and I thought this was a perfect idea because of how dear Sutter North Hospice is to me and my family. My Uncle Johnny passed away from complications of Down’s syndrome in 2010. He had been under the care of Sutter North Hospice. My sisters and I grew up with my uncle because my grandmother (his mother) was our sitter during the day all the way through high school. It may sound strange, but I had no clue people with Down’s syndrome had a shorter life span, so needless to say it came as a huge shock to me when I heard of his health declining. As an employee
of Sutter, I was able to talk to the Director of Hospice at the time, Mark Provan, and he helped me coach my grandmother through the hospice referral process. Being the incredibly busy man he was, Mark even found the time to check in on us periodically. I found out later from other families that this was not an uncommon thing for him! I cannot begin to express what it meant for the hospice team to provide the help we weren’t able to because of work and other obligations. I am forever thankful to them and donating our wedding flowers was just another way for me to show our gratitude. Who were the key players in helping you with this project? The key players in helping with this project were Paula Ketchum and Tiffany Geyer from Sutter North
Hospice, Kevin DeHoff from The Country Florist, and Marc Roger’s team at Peach Tree. Peach Tree collected the flowers after the event and Kevin stored the flowers in his large refrigerator at The Country Florist until Monday morning. Then Paula and Tiffany assembled a team to pick up and distribute the flowers. How did it make you feel knowing that you were able to share a bit of your special day to make others happy? It made me feel good knowing that by each of us taking one extra step, we were able to help brighten the day of patients going through one of the most difficult times in their lives. I just think of people on the hospice team who made that kind of impact on my family, and if we could somehow help make that happen for others, that in itself made my day more special than I could hope for.
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Random
Kindness
Acts of
Did you find a coupon mysteriously taped on a bottle of Listerine at Target? Or did your child find a dollar in the toy bin at the Dollar Store? If so, we might have found the mystery woman that made you smile with her selfless gifts. Mary Ann Hedrick brought a whole new special meaning to celebrating her birthday this year. She shares with us her journey of random acts of kindness.
Tell us about your random acts of kindness?
For my birthday I did an act of kindness for each year of my life. Suffice it to say, that’s a lot of acts! Where did you get the idea?
I met someone several months ago who was doing acts of kindness for her birthday and was taken by the idea. I knew I wanted to celebrate my birthday this way. At first I didn’t tell anyone because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to think of so many acts and really do them. It seemed daunting! I started making a list and looked online for ideas. I found so many resources with hundreds of ideas, like www.RandomActsOfKindness.com. I also found The Birthday Project website and read some blogs of other women who did Acts of Kindness for their birthdays. My list was full in no time after reading all these wonderful ideas. Why did you do it?
My pastor, Ray Johnston from Bayside Church, moved me with his teaching and example of generosity, serving others, and blessing those who don’t normally get thanked. He posed the question, “Will what you are doing now matter in 25 or 100 years?” Touching the lives of others will have a lasting effect, more than any amount of money I could make, or material things I could own. Tell us about your random acts…
I gave lots of thought to sharing the list and even sharing that I was doing acts of kindness, as it made me a little uncomfortable making it public. I decided to share for a couple reasons: I knew I’d need help to complete the number of acts to reach my goal, and once I shared the idea I felt accountable to go forward and not chicken out! I admit I was nervous as I did my first act, my heart beating fast as I shared what I was doing. My spiel went something like, “It’s my birthday, and to celebrate I’m doing acts of kindness. Please accept this, and pass on an act of kindness to someone else.”
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Here are some of the Acts of Kindness I did for my birthday: • Donated a turkey to the annual Turkey Drive •T aped coupons to Listerine and Reach products at Target • Hid dollar bills in the toys at the dollar store • Baked and plated cookies for delivery • Gave smiles to everyone I saw • Sent encouraging texts and emails • Gave compliments • Opened and held doors for others •P icked up after someone else’s dog on my walk/ run route • Picked up trash on walks and in parking lots •D elivered plates of cookies with notes of appreciation to home group families • Gave some goodies to encourage a tired friend •C ooked dinner and brought it to friends who are moving •O rdered flowers and had them delivered to my parents •B ought socks and donated them to Hands of Hope along with toiletries, coats, and warm scarves • Donated to the March of Dimes • Bought Thanksgiving dinner for someone • Donated to Food for Families • Donated a toy •W rote letters of encouragement and left them for others to find - I got this idea from www.moreloveletters.com • Returned shopping carts left in the parking lot to the store • Wrote letters of appreciation to my five brothers and my sister • Mailed my son’s favorite treat to him - Cookie Tree cookies • Did one of my husband’s chores • Bought Starbucks cards and gift certificates for lunch and gave them to volunteers and others in jobs who rarely get thanked, and also for someone waiting at a bus stop on a cold early morning
Added to my own list are many acts that others did in honor of my birthday. The texts, messages, and Facebook posts started pouring in. Friends and friends of friends paying for someone else’s gas, food, or coffee. Home groups adopting families for Thanksgiving in honor of my birthday. People filling the plates they received goodies on and passing them to someone else. I was overwhelmed by the acts of others, and to see that this was affecting more people than I imagined! How did you feel while doing this?
I felt energized, alive, and full of joy! It turned my thinking outward. Looking for opportunities and being purposeful in encouraging others was the best way I could have celebrated! What was the response from people watching you do this or hearing about what you were doing?
Everyone encouraged me, and pitched in to do some acts of kindness themselves. It was contagious! Was it easy?
At first I was nervous, and felt awkward. Then it became easier and really fun! The only hard part was finding places with no one around to leave the letters of encouragement. How do you feel now?
I feel like a changed person. I have heard about, admired, and even done kind acts - we all do, every day, if we stop to think about it. But planning, preparing, looking for opportunities, and DOING the acts changed my heart. I feel empowered to keep doing acts of kindness as opportunities present themselves. How will you continue your journey?
Serving others is what it’s all about. I am continuing to take the opportunities that are before me to bless others. It sometimes requires a sacrifice, like time or money that I might have wanted to spend on something else. In fact, what I normally would have done for my birthday weekend would been something like my husband and I going out to a great restaurant, spending the night in a nice hotel, then having breakfast the next morning, doing some
shopping, and then lunch. If I added up what I spent on the acts of kindness, it probably didn’t even come close to the amount I would have spent otherwise. It feels good to put others first. I am excited to continue with a ministry some friends and I started last year here in Yuba City, making dresses for Dress a Girl Around the World. I am stretching beyond my fears to talk to strangers, brightening their day with an encouraging word. There are so many opportunities to pour into the lives of others, especially at this time of year. I am filling a care package and writing a letter to someone serving in the military, and buying gifts for a child at a center for at-risk kids. Would you encourage others to do this?
Absolutely! One of the reasons for sharing and asking for help was to encourage others to do their own acts. This was the BEST birthday ever. If anyone is contemplating doing this for their birthday, I highly recommend it! They can read about the original Birthday Project on www.thebdayproject.com. Tell us about one of your recipients’ reactions to a good deed.
Volunteers give of their time freely and probably don’t get thanked very much. When I gave a lunch certificate to a volunteer they put their head on their desk, and I left quickly before I started to cry.
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Donors of over $120,000 over the past three years to Shady Creek Foundation from proceeds of the annual Recology Invitational.
Sponsors and supporters of Relay For Life since it’s inception in Yuba-Sutter.
Partner with Geweke Caring for Women Foundation and Pink October to raise $20,000 for breast cancer awareness through the Pink Trash Cart lease program.
Proud supporters of the Bok Kai Parade for over 25 years.
Lending a helping hand to serve Veterans and Yuba Sutter Stand Down event food sponsors. Proud sponsor of the Rideout Health ‘Fairway To Health Golf Tournament’ from its start as well as monetary donor towards the Rideout Emergency Room Expansion project.
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Participants in the Marysville Parade since 1995 and supporter of the Yuba City Stroll since inception.
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Payton’s BIRTHDAY Photography by Heather Smith Photography
We are never too young or old to spread joy! Whether it’s for people or our four legged friends, everyone appreciates a thoughtful gesture, no matter how big or small. Crystal Smith shares how her daughter Payton “pays it forward” with a generous donation to our local animal shelter.
We came up with the idea of collecting donations after I realized that her party would have 70 guests! I felt greedy having so many presents for our girl when she is very blessed and has plenty of toys. I always have to clean out the toy box before birthdays and Christmas and I just thought that it was ridiculous. So my husband and I asked Payton if she would think about donating to something instead of getting so many presents. We did reassure her that she would still be getting presents from her family. She thought it was a good idea. We suggested collecting toys or food for the needy and she thought of giving food and toys to the animal shelter. She is a MAJOR animal lover. She loves our dog, Coda and her cat, Lola. Our neighbors and her great grandma both have puppies now and she is obsessed with loving on their pups. I sent out e-vites to all our guests. It was a pool party, so on the invite I said, “In lieu of gifts, the birthday girl would like you to bring a donation for our local animal shelter!” Then I sent out a separate email that had a list of donation items that the shelter needed. I called them ahead to see what would really benefit the shelter. She suggested items like bleach, puppy/kitten food, dog/ cat food, toys for cats and dogs, cat litter, and blankets. Everyone was so excited to be a part of giving to the shelter. We had a great response, and a whole trunk full of goodies to give. Some of her friends said they wanted to do the same thing for their party and one of our friends up in Oregon did! Payton felt really happy that she donated to the shelter. She says she’s going to do that every year. The shelter had us bring in the donations on a day they were closed to the public. Payton got to meet the manager of the shelter and was given a special tour of the facility. She got to hold some kittens and feed the rabbits. She thought it was the best day ever and we were so happy that she learned she could feel really good about giving to others. Me and Mine wants to hear from you! Join us in spreading good cheer throughout our community this year. Let us know what you’re doing to make a change or how you’re helping someone smile. We would love to share your story with our readers. Let us know by e-mailing us at info@meandminemagazine.com. Let’s make 2014 the best year yet!
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SUTTER ANIMAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
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Quilters Give Comfort to Our Community The Valley Quilt Guild started in 1981 and has since grown to more than 175 members. Through educational meetings and fellowship, the group strives to contribute to the knowledge of quilting, quilt techniques, textiles, patterns, history, and quilt makers. They promote the appreciation of fine quilts and educate themselves with knowledge of different techniques through guest speakers and teachers. Not only do these members quilt for their own personal benefit, they provide quilts to several community service projects in the area. The Valley Quilt Guild has provided comforting quilts to: • Yuba and Sutter Counties Foster Care Program • Great Beginnings • Babies out of Bondage • Special Needs Babies • Yuba/Sutter County Juvenile Hall • Maxine Singer Youth Guidance Center • Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Sacramento • Ronald McDonald House • Wounded Warrior Program • Beale AFB Communication Squadron
Membership is open to anyone interested in quilts and quilting, regardless of skill level. For more information, please visit their website at www.valleyquiltguild.com. Join the Valley Quilt Guild for their 31st annual quilt show, “For the Love of Quilting” on March 15th & 16th at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds. The featured quilter this year is Diane Leighton, who will have her beautiful quilts on display. With more than 250 quilts on display, several vendors, raffle prizes, and great food from Stephens Farmhouse, this is an event you don’t want to miss. The Valley Quilt Guild is proudly sponsored by Sunsweet Gift Outlet www.sunsweet.com
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It’s pure comfort food that not only fills our bellies, but also brings satisfaction to our spirits. Words can’t even express the good that a lovingly prepared dish can do for the heart & soul. On cold winter evenings, we often find ourselves turning to comfort food recipes. There’s nothing quite like the savory flavors of a hearty bowl of soup or a delicious winter salad to comfort our soul and boost our heart health! Try one (or all!) of these healthy soul food recipes that are not only satisfying to the soul, but also healthy recipes for the heart and guaranteed to keep you warm from the inside out!
Healthy Food for the Heart and Soul
Recipes Contributed by Lillian Nelson Photography by Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography
Rustic Grain Salad INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
2 cups dried quinoa, rinsed, drained, and cooked 1 cup dried wheat berries 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/8 cup chopped fresh basil 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 2 tbsps olive oil 1 tsp chopped fresh garlic 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped 1 bunch asparagus, cleaned, chopped and blanched 1/2 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped raw broccoli 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Put four cups of water in pot and bring to a boil. Add rinsed quinoa and turn to low heat, cooking until all the water has evaporated. After water is evaporated, turn off and cover for 15 minutes. Put quinoa into a bowl and fluff with fork, then let cool.
• Bring 1 1/2 cups of water, 1 tsp olive oil and 1/8 tsp salt to a boil, then drop asparagus into the boiling water. Cook for 3 minutes, strain, and cover with ice to stop the cooking process. • Combine cold quinoa and wheat berries with all the other ingredients and serve.
• Bring two cups of water to boil, then add berries and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes. Drain and let cool.
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Butternut & Wild Rice Soup INGREDIENTS:
1 tbsp olive oil 1 cup wild rice 1 cup canned garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 1 1/2 peeled and cubed butternut squash 1 cup frozen chopped spinach (squeezed dried) 1 tsp dried thyme 5 cups veggie broth 1 tsp chopped garlic 2 tbsps additional olive oil 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper DIRECTIONS:
• Coat squash with 2 tablespoons olive oil, then add half tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Coat well and place in 350 degree oven, uncovered, for 15 minutes. • I n soup pot, sautee in one tablespoon olive oil, onion, and garlic until coated with olive oil. •A dd veggie broth and wild rice, and cook on low until rice is tender. • Add baked squash, thyme, spinach, and garbanzo beans. • Add remaining salt and black pepper. • Cook an additional 15 minutes on low. • Adjust seasoning.
Roasted Fall Veggies INGREDIENTS:
1 cup each of assorted veggies (pumpkin, turnips, yams, sweet potatoes, or brussel sprouts), chopped in chunks 1 cup of red potatoes, chopped in chunks 1 cup red onion, chopped in chunks 1 or 2 tsps cinnamon (depending on how much you like cinnamon) 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/4 cup olive oil DIRECTIONS:
• Combine all veggies in large mixing bowl, coat with olive oil and spices. • Pour onto baking sheet and bake uncovered in 350 oven 20-25 minutes or until fork tender.
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Beet Salad INGREDIENTS:
6 fresh beets, peeled and cut into cubes 1 pound celery root, peeled and sliced thin 2 tbsps lemon juice 1/2 cup sliced red onion 1/4 tsp olive oil 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper DIRECTIONS:
• Steam beets until tender (about 10-15 minutes), or coat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and bake in a 350 degree oven until tender (about 15-20 minutes). Let beets cool. • In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Adjust seasoning.
Kale and Black Eyed Pea Soup INGREDIENTS:
3 cups dried black eyed peas; soak overnight or for 2 hours, drain and rinse,or 3 cans of canned black eyed peas. 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp chopped garlic 1 yellow onion, chopped 2 ribs of celery, chopped 5 cups of veggie broth 3 cups kale, washed and chopped 1 1/2 cups of potatoes, chopped 1 1/2 carrots, chopped 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 2 tsp cumin powder
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Lillian Nelson Chef and Manager at New Earth Market Raised in Hawaii, Lillian has lived in the Yuba Sutter area for 29 years. She has been married for 35 years and has three children. She has been cooking for 39 years. Cooking has always been her passion, and at 10 years old she was taught by her Asian mother how to infuse flavors. She taught herself to cook different ethnic foods, vegan and veggie dishes, and dishes with less fat but with great flavors. She loves making soups from scratch and can eat a good homemade soup seven days a week. She also loves throwing ingredients together to make different dishes to feed to her family and friends.
DIRECTIONS:
• Sautee onion, garlic and celery in olive oil until coated with olive oil. • Add stock, carrots, and dry beans (if using canned beans, beans will be added towards the end) • Cook 20 minutes on medium heat, then add potatoes and chopped kale and cumin. If using canned beans, you can add them now. •C ook for an additional 20 minutes on medium heat until potatoes are fork tender. • Adjust seasoning if needed.
Getting to know ME Jen Sodaro
Photography by Special Moments Photography
Where did you grow up? I grew up in good ol’ Marysville. After high school I decided to go to college in Long Beach, where I studied fashion. It was amazing to be in a different city but my heart missed home and being surrounded by family. What is one of your happiest memories of childhood? My happiest childhood memory would be waking up in the morning to my grandmother Sodaro cooking my grandpa breakfast. I can still remember the smell of the crisp air and the ripening peaches as he walked me out to the orchard to teach me all about the labor of love our family worked so hard for.
What did you discover about yourself in high school? One thing I discovered about myself in high school would be that I never really had a “clique.” I was always welcoming and friends with everyone. Some might say I was outgoing, but I would say I just love people so why limit myself to only a select few? What is one trait you don’t share with your siblings? One trait I have that I don’t share with my siblings is that I have the worst luck ever. I know that sounds bad, but it has made me an extremely patient person who always stays positive. How would your family describe you? Wow, that’s a tough one. When I asked them they said outgoing, loving and extremely selfless. So when asked for a real answer that’s not textbook, they said crazy. Yep, I have a fire in me and will always light up a room with my overflowing personality. My friends would totally agree, as would strangers. I’m pretty much an open book. What you see is what you get. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? The best advice I have ever received was to take care of myself because no one will do it for me. Being in my thirties and single I can say that I have accomplished a lot of my goals. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s an extremely good feeling to know that all that I have and all that I have accomplished, I did myself.
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Tell us about the relationships you value the most. The relationships that I value the most would be with my family. I have a tight Italian family and they are my whole world. I also have a group of friends that I cherish very much. I consider them a part of my family. I feel so blessed to have the amazing family and friends that I do. Do you have any tattoos? So, my peach tattoo. That’s a fun story. When my dad turned 50, he wanted to get our family logo as a tattoo, but was too nervous to do it alone. I told him we could do it together. Well, the end result was only one of us walked out with a peach tattoo! How do you get cozy? I am like every other girl. I get home from a hard week of work and slip into some big baggy pjs , light my fireplace, and turn on a good movie that I’ve seen a million times. That’s my idea of cozy. What are some of your favorite things about being home? My favorite thing about being home would be my dogs, Mic and Jagger. I’m pretty sure they understand the entire English language. My favorite part of the day is to come home and see their faces, have a nice glass of wine, and do some chitchat with the girls.
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What makes your house your home? What makes my house a home would have to be that it completely reflects me: comfortable, edgy and lacking rules. My home décor is eclectic in the fact that I like to mix designs. But being edgy doesn’t mean you have to lack comfort. What is your favorite thing about the rain? My favorite thing about the rain is that it is good for the crops. I love the sound of the rain but being in it…no way! I’m that girl you see that always has soaking pant legs because of all the puddles that I seem to always step in. What is your design philosophy? My design philosophy would have to be to listen to yourself. If you like something, get it! Make it work with what you have because if you enjoy it, why not? And never, ever have the “that’s good enough” attitude. It you say “that’s good enough,” that only means you have better options. So take them! Your home is exactly that: YOURS.
1258 Stabler Lane • Yuba City • 530-673-7000