Family at Home by Mediaplanet_USA

A Mediaplanet Guide to Whole Family Health

Family at Home

Anna Victoria Read the intimidate Q&A with the fitness maven on her personal journey with IVF

Learn Marie Kondo’s four top strategies for organizing your home Discover how Trackmaster is serving veterans across generations

DECEMBER 2022 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

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Anna Victoria Opens Up About All Things IVF PHOTO: EMILY HINES OF CAPTURED AUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHY

In an exclusive Q&A, the fitness influencer answers all our questions about her own journey with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and what she would recommend to others. Describe your emotions leading up to your IVF treatments. I was really trying not to get my hopes up. It’s funny because I’m typically an optimist, but this was one area I just didn’t want to set myself up to be let down, so I defaulted to thinking it wouldn’t work. The process overall leading up to my first IVF transfer was tedious — so many tests, and procedures, and delays even. I had to learn (the hard way) not to get too stuck to a particular timeline. We thought we were doing our transfer a particular month and planned travels and events around it, but at a moment’s notice, we needed to do another procedure and wait for the results which ultimately pushed our transfer another month out. @MEDIAPLANETUSA

How important was having a good support system before and during IVF? Having a support system was essential to my mental well-being before and during IVF. I didn’t know anyone in my personal life that was in this same time of their life, so I sought support and guidance through IVF Facebook groups. FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH

Being able to ask even the simplest of questions was so incredibly helpful, especially when others who were going through, or had gone through, the same thing would answer and share their own experience. It gave me so much comfort knowing I wasn’t alone, and I had an outlet to share my thoughts without judgement.

What do you recommend for people about to start IVF? For those about to start IVF, I suggest finding that support system, whether it’s people you know in real life or support groups online. Another thing I suggest is to just go with the flow. I know that can be so hard when we have life to plan for,

but know that your protocol, your retrieval or transfer date, anything can change. And while it’s okay to feel a bit down about those changes, know that ultimately it’s for the best and for the best outcome of your IVF journey! Trying for a baby for a long period of time can be strenuous on a relationship. Did this happen in your relationship and how did you get through it? Yes, it absolutely did. There were some really tough moments, some times I said things I didn’t mean, but I was speaking out of hurt. We got through it by communicating openly and honestly. Sharing why things were said, where they’re coming from, and not leaving any stone unturned. They were tough and uncomfortable conversations, but ultimately made us stronger. Both sides need to let their walls down and listen to the other, and ultimately remember why you’re on this journey together to begin with. n

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Publisher Danielle Elbert Business Developer Joelle Hernandez Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Tiffany Jackson Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Kathleen Walsh Director of Content and Production Jordan Hernandez Cover Photo Emily Hines of Captured Austin Photography All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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Making the decision to start a family is life changing. It is an exciting time but can also be quite daunting. Getting pregnant is not as easy as it seems, and many factors can influence the outcome. 1. Endometriosis Normally during the menstrual cycle the lining of the womb thickens in anticipation of pregnancy. In endometriosis patients this endometrium lining grows outside the womb attaching itself to other organs. If you suffer with endometriosis, then you may need assisted reproduction techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive. 2. Sperm analysis Sperm quality is as important as egg quality to create the perfect embryo. The semen that is ejaculated during intercourse needs to contain healthy sperm that can swim (motility) to meet

Veronica Montgomery Publisher, The Fertility Hub

and fertilize the egg. There needs to be lots of sperm in the race (quantity) and the sperm needs to be strong enough to penetrate the egg (quality). You can do a simple sperm analysis from the privacy of your own home. These tests will look at quantity, quality, and motility and give advice on how to improve with lifestyle changes. 3. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) This is a painless procedure that takes about 10 minutes. Prepared sperm is placed directly in the womb for same sex female couples and couples who are not achieving a pregnancy naturally.

4. IVF The female partner takes medication to stimulate the ovaries. Then after careful monitoring, those eggs are collected using a fine needle under sedation. Those eggs are then fertilized with the male partner’s sperm and the best embryo is selected for implantation. 5. Donor sperm and eggs Depending on the female egg quality or the partner’s sperm quality, your best chance of IVF success might involve using a donor egg or donor sperm. 6. Surrogacy For some couples, the only option to have a child is by using a surrogate. There are many options for family building via this route. There are many reputable surrogacy agencies in the United States who will find the right surrogate for you and help you through the legal process. n

Empowering Two Generations of Service Two veterans tell their stories. In February 1969, Raymond Brown returned home after his first Vietnam tour and was assigned to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. While on a temporary assignment in Utah, Raymond was the victim of a vehicular accident where he was run down broadside at 70mph, leaving his back broken in 4 places and his left leg in 134 places, which kept him hospitalized for nearly two years. Today, you can find Raymond traveling throughout Indiana on his Trackmaster machine serving his current mission. Since 2017, he has dedicated his time to restoring veteran markers in cemeteries throughout Indiana at no charge to the families. As the director for Mission Restore Bronze Indiana, Raymond and other members of the organization have restored more than 6,000 markers in 600 cemeteries throughout the state, including for Medal of Honor recipients interred in Indiana.

To read Raymond’s full story and learn more about how you can help or request a marker restoration, visit www.mrbi.rocks. Crossing generations Natalie Vines also served in the U.S. Army from 1992 to 2013, and served two tours in Iraq where she was deployed to Baghdad from 2004 to 2005, and to Mosul from 2009 to 2010. While deployed to Baghdad, Natalie’s unit received enemy mortar fire. During the attack, she suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In Mosul, she received another TBI, which resulted in being medevaced to Germany and then Texas. As a result of the second TBI, Natalie began treatment for seizures, severe migraines, cognitive issues, balance and vision issues, and severe PTSD. Finally, after 21 years of service, Natalie was medically retired from the Army in January 2013. Fast forward to today, Natalie’s treatment and healing is ongoing.

Natalie continues to focus on her recovery, better social integration, and returning to an active lifestyle. To help with that effort, Natalie received a new Trackmaster in August 2021. Natalie and Brian’s beautiful lake property near Ashville, Alabama has some steep terrain challenges, and she now has the freedom to explore, shoot, fish, check the mail, and head to the dock without assistance. “I love the fact that my track chair helps with my balance and vision issues,” Natalie said. “Otherwise, I would depend on my husband or others to drive me. It’s sturdy, safe, and holds a long battery charge.” As their way of giving back, Natalie and Brian recently began opening their home to other veterans. Their current mission is to help others with their recovery, enjoy life outdoors, and experience a peaceful, serene place that nature can provide. n LeAnn Harrington, National Sales Manager, Trackmaster LLC

Teaching About Military Lifestyles Can Help Veterans Transition Out of Service This past spring, nearly a third of respondents to the COVID-19 Military Support Initiative Pain Points Poll, which tracked how military families were affected by the pandemic over the spring, were unable to complete the necessary steps to transition out of service due to office closures as a result of the virus. This adds to the more than 50 percent of veteran respondents who, even before the pandemic, reported they were not well prepared for their transition or found the entire process difficult, according to last year’s annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey. This gap, where civilians may not understand or appreciate the sacrifices made by service members and their families, can also prevent transitioning families from finding a sense of belonging and cause social isolation. What’s more, the process of transitioning has been found to hit female veterans harder and may have long-term impacts on social isolation, financial stability, and navigation of community resources. Easing the transition Everyone has a role to play. Local leaders can assess their communities’ capacity to best support military-connected populations by proactively seeking out engagement opportunities for local residents. Community organizations can also incorporate greater military family lifestyle cultural competence practices into their programming and engagement strategies. Employers can do a better job of actively demonstrating an understanding of military life when recruiting and retaining military-connected employees. For all our veterans do for our country, helping them adjust to their new civilian lives is the absolute least our communities can do for them. It’s a start. Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO, Blue Star Families

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Cat Cora knows a thing or two about family dinner. The celebrity chef is wellknown for breaking all kinds of glass ceilings in the culinary world — she was the first female winner of Iron Chef and the first woman to be inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame. She’s opened dozens of restaurants over the course of her career, authored several cookbooks as well as a memoir, and hosted food shows like “Around the World in 80 Plates” on Bravo. Most recently, she became a judge on “Family Food Fight” on ABC, in which different families compete against each other to make the best meal. Incidentally, Cora also has six sons with her wife, Nicole. So when it comes to family suppers, Cora knows what she’s talking about.

Celebrity Chef Cat Cora on Why Family Mealtime Is so Important Family meals The importance of sharing a meal with the family is well-documented. Eating together as a family can promote healthier eating habits in children, foster better communication among families, improve family dynamics,

and show kids their parents value them individually, according to Stanford Children’s Health. When asked why family dinners are important to her, Cora says it’s a time for her family to bond and create memories and traditions.

“We go around the table and each take turns talking about our day, what we are grateful for. There is no technology allowed during supper time; we all put away our phones and just talk to each other,” she says in an interview with Mediaplanet.

Making time But as anyone who’s ever tried it can attest, getting the whole family together for a home-cooked meal is not easy, especially with a schedule as packed as Cora’s and six boys to feed. It’s worth it, though, Cora says, even if it’s only once or twice a week. Another thing that helps, she says, is cooking together. As a judge on “Family Food Fight,” Cora says seeing the families cook together reminded her of her own family growing up, and how her parents taught her and her brothers the importance of cooking together. “And they are so close and loving,” she says of the show’s contestants. “That is the power of what food and cooking can do. It unites us all like nothing else.” n

Lynne Daggett

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Organizing Queen Marie Kondo Helps You Tackle 4 Clutter Challenges then store these items standing upright in drawers rather than laid flat. When you organize your clothing this way, there is more space in your closet to hang things. Arrange hanging items so that they rise to the right. By category, coats would be on the far left, followed by dresses, pants, skirts, and blouses.” 3. Your fridge is overstocked “My advice for tidying the kitchen is take the time to tidy all of your food. Discard items that have expired, tidy by food category, and designate a home for each thing. This will give visibility to what you have on hand. That way, you don’t amass food unnecessarily. I recommend assessing your kitchen inventory regularly so you know what’s about to expire — and can plan to replace it.”

In her No. 1 New York Times bestselling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Marie Kondo introduced the world to a new philosophy of home organization. Kondo describes the approach as “focused on what to keep, not what to eliminate.” If you’re surveying your space and deciding you’re forever doomed to have an untidy home, take a deep breath. You’re not alone. Consider the following four common dilemmas that stand in the way of an organized home and Kondo’s advice for tackling them head-on.

1. Your storage is limited “Before you consider different types of storage solutions, it’s much more important to be aware of what you’re planning to keep,” says Kondo. “Make sure that what you have inside the home are all things that spark joy for you. Only then is it time to consider how to organize them. I typically use items I already own, like gift boxes or shoes boxes, to compartmentalize my drawers.” 2. Your closet is chaos “By neatly folding your clothes, you can solve almost every problem related to storage. The goal is to fold each piece of clothing into a simple, smooth rectangle, and

4. You want to get the kids involved “First, you as parents must finish tidying your own belongings. Second, as you tidy, explain to your children what you’re doing so they can learn from you. When you make it fun, you encourage their interest in tidying, too. Assign a designated spot for everything — and make sure that system is clear for your kids as well.” When Netflix released “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” a new legion of fans eager to declutter their lives and build a joyful space joined the Kondo craze. It’s never too late to resolve to tidy your home. Happy tidying. n Emily Gawlak

How Parent Engagement Makes for Healthier Kids Every parent wants his or her child to grow up to be a healthy and happy adult. While that aspiration may feel lofty now, know that there are proven steps you can take to help set your little one up for success. Get involved According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), parents who routinely take part in their children’s school activities, whether academic or extracurricular, are more likely to encourage healthy behaviors at home, like eating a nutritious diet or exercising. Academic support for your child is key. Kids who perceive that their guardians support them are more invested in their schoolwork, not to mention less likely to misbehave in the classroom and more likely to be socially engaged, the CDC notes. There’s a word for this level of involvement: family engagement, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. “Families are children’s first, longest lasting, and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Positive parenting and strong family engagement is central — not supplemental — to promoting children’s healthy development and wellness,” the organization noted. Back to school About 87 percent of parents believe that their children’s schools have a similar responsibility to tend to youngsters’ physical, academic, and social-emotional learning, according to a 2019 report by Active Schools, an organization that advocates for physical activity in grade schools. If you get involved at your child’s school, the benefits can be numerous, as the CDC pointed out. Importantly, taking an active role in your child’s life doesn’t end with academic success. A 2013 study presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition suggests that when parents are involved in sex education programs, middle school students, especially boys, are more likely to delay sexual activity. Same goes for preventing child substance abuse, according to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Family time Don’t discount the importance of family meals, as these are also paramount. This step goes beyond weight — a 2017 scientific article in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior shows eating together can even lower depressive symptoms and boost emotional well-being in youth. How’s that for an education? Statistics provided by Alliance for a Healthier Generation Melinda Carter

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