MARCH/APRIL 2013
YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
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2 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
features
On the cover: Master gardener Linda Zulski waters seedling plants she started in the greenhouse for this year’s growing season. Zulski is the greenhouse manager for Drost Landscaping and Design and offers tips for seed starting in this issue of GoodLife. Photo by G. Randall Goss.
5 Good Taste Fabulous fajitas
9 Good Word Rick Fowler
16 Good to Know Advice from the grocery guru
6 Good Stuff Good to Go: Upper Trapezius Stretch
10 Good Thoughts Clarifying bipolar disorder
17 Good Sport Water polo makes a splash
Good Humor: Katie Macinnis
12 Cover story Peat pot planting prep
19 Good Advice Sleep for the health of it
Good for Kids: After-school bowling
15 Good Health Arthritis tips
21 Good Buys Ice cleats GOODlife 3
MARCH/APRIL 2013 - Volume 4, Issue 4 PUBLISHER DOUG CALDWELL EDITOR SHERI MCWHIRTER-O’DONNELL PHOTOGRAPHY G. RANDALL GOSS LAYOUT AND DESIGN WENDY WOLFSEN FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CONTACT ADVERTISING DIRECTOR CHRISTY LYONS (231) 439-9329 clyons@petoskeynews.com
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© GoodLife, all rights reserved, 2013. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, without express written permission, is prohibited. The views expressed herein, whether expressed as fact, fiction, opinion, advice or otherwise, are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of this magazine. The publication of any advertisement does not reflect any endorsement for any products or services by the ownership or management of this magazine unless it is specifically stated in such advertisement that there is approval for such endorsement. GoodLife is published bi-monthly by Northern Michigan Review, Inc. GoodLife Magazine 319 State St., Petoskey, Mich. 49770
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4 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
GOOD TASTE
Fajitas fit for a fiesta
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F
ew types of cuisine ar e as beloved as Mexican cuisine. Whether celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a f iesta at home or simply looking for a quick meal when you’ re craving Mexican food, the following recipe for “Spicy Chicken Fajitas” from the Cooking Light “Fresh Food, Fast Weeknight Meals” (Oxmoor House) is sure to please. Spicy Chicken Fajitas Makes 4 servings
— 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (1 pound) — 2 teaspoons fajita seasoning (such as McCormick) — 2 cups vertically sliced onion — 2 cups red bell pepper strips — 4 71/2-inch 96 percent fatfree whole wheat tortillas — 1/2 cup fresh salsa — Cooking spray — Chopped avocado (optional)
Chili-Dusted Mango
— Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Makes 4 servings
— Reduced-fat sour cream (optional) Directions: 1. Cut chicken into 1/2-inchwide strips. Place chicken in a small b owl; sprinkle with fajita seasoning, tossing to coat. Heat a lar ge nonstick skillet over me dium-high heat. Coat pan w ith cooking spray. Add chicken and onion; stir-fry 3 min utes. Add bell pepper; stir-fry 5 min-
Spicy Chicken Fajitas
Metro Creative Service
utes or until chicken is done. 2. Place 1 t ortilla on e ach of 4 plates. Top each evenly with chicken mixture and salsa . Top with avocado and cilantro, if de sired. Fold tortillas over filling, and t op with sour cream, if desired. Serve immediately.
— 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch slices — 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice — 1/4 teaspoon chili powder — 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro Directions: 1. Arrange mango slices evenly on 4 pla tes. Sprinkle evenly with lime juice, chili powder and cilantro. GOODlife 5
GOOD STUFF GOOD TO GO
By Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell Photography by G. Randall Goss
Upper trapezius stretch
P
hysical therapist Joanne Culver, of First Choice Physical Therapy in East Jordan, said she recommends a par ticular stretching exercise to help address clients’ neck pain and t ension headaches. Culver said this is a rather simple stretch for anyone, regardless of age. This standing exercise can be done anywhere, since it does not require any equipment. “One thing we tend to see a lot of is ne ck pain and he adaches,”
Culver said. Current society calls for a great deal of computer use, she said, which can strain t he neck muscles. But t hen again, s o can reading a book, knitting, or what have you. “A lot of people just carry their stress there,” Culver said. That can lead to varying levels of pain, she said, de pending on the person. “Usually the culprit is the upper trapezius muscle,” Culver said.
Position 1: Stand up w ith your feet about shoulder-width apart and place one arm behind your back, an effort to help hold your shoulder dow n during the exercise. Position 2: Tilt your head in the opposite direction until you f eel a gentle stretch. Stop at this point if the stretch is sufficiently intense. Position 3: Use your hand to further the stretch by pressing your head in the same tilt ed direction, but st op short of discomfort. The pur pose of t he stretch is t o lengthen the muscle, which leads to decreased pain and pr oper postural alignment, Culver said. “You want to hold the stretch about 30 seconds, then repeat with the other side,” she said. “You do it just to where you feel a sligh t pull b ecause overstretching can just exacerbate the pain.” Culver also warned not to “bounce into the stretch.” GL
Athletic trainer Kristi Morman, of First Choice Physical Therapy, demonstrates the upper trapezius stretch.
GOOD HUMOR
Layers
I
t is tempting to analogize the aging process as layers of an onion being peeled away to a fi nal core. But onion peeling is a very smelly COURTESY PHOTO business and almost always Katie MacInnis, columnist from Harbor Springs makes you cry. Most certainly I am peeling things away. A t ooth is pulled, so pudding ha s new interest for me. Hardware in my knees prevents my kneeling and s o each spring I become that famous lawn ornament with head down and butt in t he air a s I plan t my little garden. Supposedly, I am r ipening the cataract in m y left eye, waiting for the mature moment when a doctor can take the opacity off like peeling a grape. On my walks I love to hear the birds, but they are not locatable now, as my hearing is fading quickly in one ear and I lost the stereo effect of my inborn GPS. I am Medicare reimbursable. On birthdays I g et a c olonoscopy and mammogram — what fun! That is followed by a we ek waiting for the letter declaring me “ negative for malignancies” and m y “tissue unremarkable.” My relief is mi xed as I read how I can be summed up in this way. To put my socks on each morning, I must organize my toes, giving them their marching orders. They all seem to point in diff erent directions. ➤ Continued on page 7
6 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
GOOD HUMOR
GOOD STUFF
Continued from page 6
GOOD FOR KIDS
After-school bowling beats winter boredom Story by Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell Photography by G. Randall Goss
T
he winter season can be a tough time of ye ar to motivate children to be active, that’s why a lo cal business put together a special after-school opportunity with a ph ysical element. Janet Shuman, general manager at Northern Lights Recreation Center in Harbor Springs, said children can play two games of bowling, rent a pair of bowling shoes and have a small drink with a bag of p opcorn for $6.95 p er child. That after-school bowling offer is valid between 3-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, she said. “It’s heavily discounted,” she said. “It’s a great time to get kids in here and fill that time slot.” Shuman said some parents may wish to find local activi-
ties for their children during the depths of Nor thern Michigan’s winter, particularly during the time periods when t hey otherwise would b e watching television or playing video games. After all, television and video games can become boring after a while. “This is a g reat way to keep them active, doing s omething physical instead,” she said. Northern Lights Recreation, at 8865 M-119 in Harbor Springs, offers bumper bowling for little ones, which can be set to go up and down with their turn. The bowling alley features 16 mo dern lanes and offi cials there can be reached at (231) 347-3100. More information is available online at www.northernlightsrec. com. GL
My memory is fading, a worry since my father died of Al zheimer’s disease. It’s more than names at church, as everyday objects must be pointed at sometimes. Outside, one time, I asked my husband to bring me the tube that water goes through, “You mean the hose?” he asked. My concerns spill over during my annual exam, and because I am a nurse, my doctor is more honest than I thought he’d be. Long ago I learned medical people are less forth-coming if you blubber, so I appear to be a disinterested bystander. In a collegial way he admit s I c ould be in the early stages, and w arns to watch for loss of e xecutive function. Ha! Like I ha ve ever been able to run electronic equipment more advanced than on or off buttons. Maybe I should t ake up smok ing, drinking and trans -fats, give up seat belt or fl u-shots, and throw in weight-gain as a lifestyle. Something to take 10 years off my life. What’s to lose? It would b e the last 10. The onion wouldn ’t have time to smell, nor I to weep. Of course I should b e grateful for my relatively good health and the many other blessings in m y life. And most ly I am. But when they read a st atistic on television that says 7 out of 10 p eople suffer with hemorrhoids, it do esn’t mean the other three like them. — Katie MacInnis Katie MacInnis is a reti red nurse and lives in Harbor Springs with her husband, Charlie. Possibly you can tell how gracefully she is handling the aging process.
Maddie Mays, 10, (from left) and Jack Izzard, 10, both of Petoskey, throw their bowling balls down the lanes while bowling after school at Northern Lights Recreation Center, in Harbor Springs.
GOODlife 7
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8 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
GOOD WORD
Ah, retirement
I
knew a bar rage of que stions would face me when I made public my decision to put down my red pen after 34 ye ars of teaching high s chool English. Yet, after being strafed by t eenagers with hundreds of que stions in the classroom for so many years, I felt prepared. In the months following my decision friends, colleagues and even family members offered congratulations, but t his is t hen usually followed by a t least one of these three questions: So what are you going to do now? Ar e you going to get a ne w job? Are you happy? I try to be diplomatic without going into an epiphany in regards to my answers with simple responses like, “I will have plenty to do around the house,” or “Another job? Not right now. I’m happy to be retired, yes.” However, now that I have been a member of the official retirement scene for a f ew months and a s a former writing instructor who demanded reasoning in his st udents’ papers, I know I ne ed more explanation than curt short answers. Reflection and r ecollection have now insisted I respond to the three essential questions in this manner. No. 1: F irst, I w ill be enjoying the woods every fall now. This particular season has a blend of aromas, vibrant colors and s olitude unique to this time of year. I will stalk many local woods with a 20-gauge shotgun in pursuit of the wary grouse, knowing that my ratio of success might be lower than
By Rick Fowler
the Tigers’ World Series batting average. Yet when I pull m y truck onto a two- track trail, don m y orange vest with shotgun in hand and head into a g roup of young sa plings my first thought is not taking a shot. Uh-uh. I await new discoveries with a tour of any new section of woods. Sometimes I w ill scare up rabbits and p orcupines. Often I might kick up deer if the wind is blowing in my favor. I know I w ill witness bear tracks, old bear dens and fresh bear scat. This is magical! That’s what I’m going to do now — seek the magic that awaits in these Northern Michigan forests. No. 2: I c hose a career 34 years ago that made me a lucky man. My profession allowed me t o converse with and a ssist thousands of young men and women in t he classroom, on the court and on the field whose outlooks and v isions kept me at least thinking young. I can’t remember all t heir names, but their faces remain vivid. My
career choice also introduced me to a pretty young lady who became my wife and eventually we became parents of two children of our own. Indeed, we all take paths of our own choosing in life and mine was to be a teacher. I’ve never regretted it. No other job could ever equate with this proud profession. No, I won’t be getting another job. No. 3: I am e lated to be in t he position I am in. Re aching retirement proved to be positive and progressive. The opportunities to volunteer are many and I am cur rently sifting through a c ache to find those that fit my personality, thus making m y options f ruitful. Who truly could not be happy when the realization sets in that everyday is one’s own, that life is now less regimented? There are books, books and more books to be read. Plus, there are more woods to find adventure in, four unique s easons to play in, and new people to have conversations with. There is now simply more time, time whic h often seemed fleeting while teaching. I realize not all of m y choices in life have been good ones. However, my family, my career and my decision when to retire far outweighed those rather detrimental choices. So yes, I’m happy. I will continue to answer questions about retirement in the next few months. I’m not shy about replying. My problem will be finding time to adequately answer the questions. Just don’t ask, “So are you going to be subbing now t hat you’re retired?” Ah, no. GL GOODlife 9
GOOD THOUGHTS
Moodiness is not bipolar disorder Petoskey psychologist argues term is over-used, misunderstood
Henrike Kroemer, Ph.D. Clinical psychologist 316 E. Mitchell St. Suite 4, Petoskey (231) 622-8544 www.hbkroemer.com info@hbkroemer.com Courtesy photo
Story by Danielle McIntosh
T
he word “bipolar” has been made popular in t oday’s media — following traumatic or r eckless acts of violence in young adults, including the rise of public sho otings. According to local psychologist Henrike Kroemer, the word for this serious mental illness has been over-used and misunderstood. This can cause the general public to be less sympathetic of t hose actually suffering from such a disorder. With a ma jor focus of her prac tice in the treatment of mood disorders, Kroemer has become passionate about helping to educate people on mental illness, including bipolar disorder. Kroemer has a P h.D. in c linical psychology, specializing in stroke and head trauma, as well as health — Henrike Kroemer, psychologist psychology. She st arted her c areer in Northern Michigan as the division head for the former Burns Clinic in Petoskey, and went on to scribe someone who is mo ody eiopen a 20- year private practice in ther, she went on to argue. the Little Traverse Bay area. “Moody is normal,” she said w ith Bipolar disorder is ver y serious a sigh. and can result in mor tality, KroBipolar disorder is often referred emer said. to as manic de pression, which ac“But what people need to under- curately describes the fluctuation of stand is that the illness is lethal be- extremely elevated and de pressed cause of the high rate of suicide, not moods seen in those suffering with because of violent acts,” she said. the condition. But just e xperiencIt’s not just a wor d to loosely de- ing highs and lows is not enough to
10 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
“In general, most people with mental illness are not violent. One could argue that the increase in violent crime in adolescents is more of a societal problem,”
diagnose the condition. Kroemer said t here are two variations of t he disorder. Bipolar I is denot ed by the inclusion of severe mania — a time of ir ritability, hyperactivity, elation, reckless behaviors and bad judg ment — a s well as depression. Bipolar II is less extreme in t he level of mania , but also cycles to depression. For this reason it can be misdiagnosed and confused with other disorders, she said. A manic st ate lasting a we ek or more is helpful in diagnosing someone with Bipolar I and deciphering it from other conditions. “The mania c an be very severe, where a p erson may do dangerous things, but may not have the insight that they are in danger themselves. It’s like waking up from a nightmare that is your life,” she said. Kroemer went on to explain that most patients with bipolar disorder are more apt to commit suicide than to be violent toward others. Only when dr ugs and alc ohol are brought into the picture does the potential for criminal behavior increase. “Those with bipolar are four times more likely to be a v ictim than the perpetrator,” Kroemer said. “In fact, the incidence of violence is probably not any higher in a person
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with bipolar than that of the general public.â&#x20AC;? Both children and adults can suďŹ&#x20AC;er from bipolar disorder, but Kroemer said that generally if a person does not show symptoms by the time they are 25 years old, they likely will not have any. Genetics play the strongest role in t he development of t he disorder, but en vironmental trauma such as abuse can also be a factor. There is no cur e for bipolar disorder, but it r equires life-long treatment to address both the physical and mental health of t he patient, Kroemer said. Me dications and counseling therapy can help to control both the manic and de pressive episodes. Assisting the patient in becoming aware of their state and how to manage it is key, she said. Bipolar disorder thankfully is not a c ommon diagnosis, Kroemer said, adding she b elieves that the term is thrown around too loosely, which leaves the general public with the wrong impression. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In general, most p eople with mental illness are not violent. One c ould argue that the increase in v iolent crime in adolescents is more of a societal problem,â&#x20AC;? she said. Kroemer cites additional resources on bipolar disorder, as well as other mental illnesses, on her website. GL
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GOODlife 11
COVER STORY
Get your hands dirty
Story by Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell Photography by G. Randall Goss
Seed starting a way to grow your garden, flower beds
M
Master gardener Linda Zulski waters seedling plants she started in the g reenhouse for th is year’s growing season. Zulski is the greenhouse manager for Drost Landscape , Design and Construction and offers tips for seed starting in this issue of GoodLife. 12 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
aster gardener Linda Zulski has a pair of g reen thumbs and they usually c an be found somewhere covered in dir t this time of year. Zulski works as a g reenhouse manager and grows nearly all of the annual bedding plants used during the growing season by Drost Landscape, Design and Construction of Petoskey, a ma jor local groundskeeping company with clients in both Charlevoix and Emmet counties. This is the time of year to begin seed starting for your ow n flower beds and vegetable gardens, should you not wish to buy bedding plants somebody else grew, she said. “We feel we g et sturdier plants and we c an control the environment they’re in,” Zulski said. Bedding plants shipped into Northern Michigan from elsewhere may contain unknown chemicals, such as growth inhibitors or p esticides. Growing your own flowers and vegetables from seeds ensures the gardener will know what’s in the equation from start to finish, Zulski said. “Deciding what you want to grow is the first thing,” she said. “Planning ahead is a big part of it.” Easy plants for seed-starting beginners include pepper varieties, tomatoes, lettuce and basil, she
said. But if you f ollow the instructions on s eed packets, it’s possible for anyone to achieve seed-starting success. A key thing to note is the timing of seed-starting, Zulski said, as seedlings must be at the ideal spot in t he growing process to be transplanted outdoors taking into account the local seasonal and weather changes. Next comes the seed-starter mix, a ty pe of ligh tweight potting soil designed to give germinating seeds the best chance for successful growth. Some choose to use Jiff y pellets that swell with water, Zulski said, adding it’s just a ma tter of preference. Also, containers must be chosen for the seed-starting experience and home g rowers can recycle plastic containers from grocery store roasted chickens, or even the light plastic mushroom or berry containers. Zulski warns beginners to make
riety and s eed distributor, in c ase you really like that brand and w ant to find it again t he next season,” Zulski said. And if you don’t use all the seeds in a packet, check the date because many can be saved for one or two more growing seasons. Either close up the seed packet envelope and keep it cool and dry, or you can even store leftover seeds in empty medication bottles from pharmacies, Zulski said. She also said to remember to check those seed dates before buying, as well. When first planted, seeds can be washed away with a w atering can, so Zulski recommends a squirt bottle on the spray setting. It’s important to keep the seed-starting — Linda Zulski, Drost Landscaping soil moist, but not s o wet that the seedlings are killed by dam pening sure they label their work, a regular off, a f ungus caused by e xcessive ritual for longtime seed growers. moisture. “Make sure you list t he plant, vaSome seeds come covered ➤
“Make sure you list the plant, variety and seed distributor, in case you really like that brand and want to find it again the next season.”
Continued on page 14
There are many good books available for the novice gardener about how to start seeds and transplant seedlings.
GOODlife 13
Continued from page 13
in growth inhibitors, so the seeds must be soaked and rinsed through a strainer, while ot hers must be soaked and t hen sliced open with tweezers or small s cissors, a pr ocess called scarification. That type of seed needs to be damaged to give the germinating plant a b etter chance at breaking through the seed’s outer shell, an example being sweet pea seeds. Then some seeds should be planted deeper in the soil than other types or require different amounts of light, so Zulski said r eading the directions and doing your own research is the best way to grow from scratch the garden you’ve always wanted. “If you want to be successful, it helps,” she said. “ And you w ant to grow fruits and vegetables you like, fruits and ve getables your f amily will eat.” Zulski also said enrolling in a local gardening class is another excellent way to learn how to grow beautiful flowers and bountiful gardens. She teaches classes that are offered by the Northern Michigan Master Gardener Association. Call association president Linda Caldwell at (231) 348-5360 f or more information. GL TOP: Young plants sprout up from planting pellets in a recycled food container that serves as a miniature greenhouse. ABOVE: Young seedlings sprout up from their planting bed made inside a recycled food container.
LEFT: Good seeds are the first step to grow your garden all on your own.
14 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
GOOD HEALTH
Finding your balance Exercise and food choices can help or hurt with arthritis Story by Candace McPharlin Williams Photography by G. Randall Goss
S
pring approaches and w ith it comes the urge to get outside. “For the springtime, people probably want to work extra hard to get themselves in sha pe to be able to get out and enjoy the warmer weather,” said Dr. Charles Heubner, of the Harbor Arthritis & Lifestyle Center in Petoskey. “A few years ago I a ttended a le cture by another doctor. The final thing that he said was ‘your doctor cannot make you healthy only less sick.’” Do you suspect you have arthritis? Huebner suggests anyone who does visit a doctor who will assess the situation and g ive them options which won’t necessarily include surgery or medications. “If people are embarking in t he Metro Creative spring and t hey have arthritis, it Services helps to go to a ph ysical trainer who is well-versed and can make low back pain,” Heubner said. “I t an assessment. An e xercise pro- has been shown that doing aerobic gram can be planned,” Heubner and strengthening exercises can be said. “For example, if a p erson has as effective as meds. We now know knee arthritis, squats or lung es that extra weight doesn’t just sit can irritate more. Sometimes it is there. The fat cells are little factoworth the time and money to get ries which cause inflammation.” with a physical trainer.” And inflammation is what those There are overall health condi- with arthritis want to avoid, even tions that also contribute to arthri- through food choices. tis. “Intestines are sometimes inIt’s also known that being “over- flamed for hours as a result of poor weight is a c ause of ar thritis, par- food choices,” Heubner said. B etticularly in kne es. And low bac k ter choices are to eat kale, spinach, pain is epidemic in the U.S. Doing swiss chard, lettuce and other leafy core exercises to strengthen abs greens, which have “components has been shown to be as effective which can aid in healing your body as spinal sur gery in g etting rid of and can make the pain and stiff -
ness of ar thritis lessen.” “When you eat healthy vegetables and fruits, when you take away the foods which damage and eat the foods which Dr. Charles Huebner, in his Petoskey office. heal, you c an have healing,” Heubner said. “I have seen many (patients) get off all or most of their medications.” Heubner said suc h lifestyle changes are a passionate interest of his and as a doctor he knows how effective it c an be for good health. He overhauled his lif estyle when his brother died at 50 years old. Afterward, Heubner no longer needed the prescription medications he had b een taking. He now e ats plant-based foods, avoids highly processed foods and r egularly exercises. His low-fat diet is high in natural, plant-based carbohydrates. Harbor Arthritis & L ifestyle Center opened in April 1999. Jane Denay, certified family nurse practitioner joined the practice in 2001. Heubner and D enay’s goal is t o provide compassionate and c omplete rheumatologic care, he said. Heubner has practiced rheumatology for 20 years. The business is at 560 W. Mitchell St., Suite 560, Petoskey, and can be reached at (231) 487-2150. More information is a vailable online a t www.harborarthritis.com. GL GOODlife 15
GOOD TO
KNOW
Petoskey’s Dawn Ortiz, grocery guru Story by Danielle McIntosh · Photography by G. Randall Goss
I
t was during her time sp ent landscaping that Dawn Ortiz discovered something. What we put on our plants and soil is what ends up in our bodies. “I was eating lunch one day on the job after fertilizing a lawn. As I sa t and ate, I lo oked at the green lawn as these little birds flew down to the grass for their lunch. That was when I told my boss I wouldn’t use fertilizer again,” Ortiz said. Ortiz is now t he grocery manager for Petoskey’s one-stop shop for health foods and supplements, known as The Grain T rain. She said it was as a landscaper that she learned true appreciation for the natural world. She en joyed working with plants, the peacefulness of the outdoors, and giving back to the earth. Now as the grocery manager, she is able to provide a different kind of healthy environment. “We provide products with integrity and we are able to make mindful choices every day that are beneficial for the world we live in and f or our bodies,” she said. Originally from Johannesburg, Ortiz moved to Petoskey to pursue a nursing career, but was hired at the health food co-op and never looked back. Ortiz has been in charge of product research and or dering for the past two and a half years. She said all the products the store carries have been examined. Whether it’s talking
16 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
with vendors or local farmers about the way an animal is raised, or insuring that packaged food is free of p esticides, chemicals and genetically modified Dawn Oritz is grocery organisms, manager of the Grain Train Natural Foods Ortiz is s erious Market, in Petoskey. about stocking only the best. “And that even means I have had to get rid of some of our most p opular sellers, and I ha ve taken some heat for it. But when you t ell a p erson that there are GMOs in their cereal they are usually understanding,” Ortiz said with a laugh. To bring in ne w products and inform customers, the store introduced sales and sampling events. “Part of my job is to give customers an inf ormed decision on wha t they are eating. They can trust that we read the labels so they don’t have to,” Ortiz said. Samplings are held on Fridays at the store, but sp ecial event samplings proved to be a big hit . Ortiz said that includes the last Labor Day sales event — a t which employees dressed as Rosie the Riveter — and the “Taste the Difference” event in which shoppers could compare organic produce to those from Walmart or other big box stores.
While the store offers organic, vegan, gluten-free and other allergy friendly foods, it does house snacks and chips and t he famous scones from the bakery. But the difference, Ortiz said, is that the food is c lean, without the chemicals. That’s what Ortiz refers to as offering “food security.” Ortiz also is passionate about the store’s youth events. Having two children herself, she is now mor e aware of what she serves for dinner. She even went as far as to say she was ashamed of some of the disgusting foods her kids would eat prior to her job at the store. “It is our duty t o share what we have learned, starting with the kids. Once they appreciate the taste of the healthy food, they will be more likely to pass it on,” she said. Feedback from the community is Ortiz’s greatest satisfaction with regards to her work. “There is a really strong community feel and it’s really gratifying when you remember a customer and can help them find what they need or direct them to a ne w product or sale item they might like,” she said. Ortiz said she b elieves while Petoskey is e xpanding, The Grain Train is not t hreatened by t he potential of a Whole F oods or Trader Joe’s. Ortiz said cust omer service and the community support from other stores in t he co-op will keep the store thriving and hop efully growing. GL
GOOD SPORT
Splash
into local water polo Story by Ami Woods · Photography by G. Randall Goss
Courtesy photo Swimmers practice a game of water polo at the Charlevoix Area Community Pool.
T
he sport of w ater polo is s ee- ing from a c ommunity where a w aing a ma jor resurgence at the ter polo league was well supported, Charlevoix Area Community Gooch quickly realized the absence Pool in Northern Michigan. The of the sport on t he local aquatics sport originally was introduced to the scene and wanted that changed. area back in 1998 when pool manger After years of on-again, off -again Al Gooch relocated to Charlevoix af- practicing, the pool is now c oorditer a career as aquatics director at the nating an inf ormal, yet official coMidland Community Center. Com- ed water polo club under t he direc-
tion of Charlevoix resident and pool staffer Casey Riley. Regular Friday scrimmages were expected to begin in February. Enthusiasm for the sport remained consistent throughout the years, but participation varied. Gooch said the goal for the new club is t o push ➤ Continued on page 18 GOODlife 17
Continued from page 17
for players and ultima tely generate enough interest for a le ague to be formed and result in weekly games. “Long term, we’d like to see enough interest that we c an grow and e ventually host a league of several teams with 6 or 7 players each,” Gooch said. The club seeks participants from high school age and older who ha ve an interest in the sport. The community pool staff emphasizes that the sport, while c ardio-intensive, is not bound by age and anyone interested can visit the pool and get involved. Cost for participation in a s crimmage will be minimal at $3 per player, per night. Fees will off-set club expenses. Water polo is a c ardio-rich, teambased water sport traditionally c onsisting of six players and one goal tender. The sport began in the late 19th century in the United Kingdom and is now p opular around the globe in countries such as Canada, Australia and the United States. Men’s water polo was introduced as an Oly mpic sport at the 1900 games in Paris. The women’s event debuted exactly 100 years later at Sydney in 2000. Recently, the sport gained significant momentum throughout the U.S. with youth leagues, intramural teams and community clubs popping up across the country, like the one in Charlevoix. Participants in water polo can expect an intense cardiovascular workout, utilizing nearly all major muscle groups, in which significant fat burning should b e expected. Practice for the sport includes various hearthealthy drills such as swimming, running laps and treading water, as well as breathing and throwing exercises. An hour of play can result in up to 700 calories burned, depending on athleticism of the player. Those who wish to be involved with the club in Charlevoix can learn more online at www.charlevoixpool. org, or c ontact Gooch directly at (231) 547-0982. GL 18 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
ABOVE: The action is fast during a waterpolo game, held on Friday nights at the Charlevoix Area Community Pool. BELOW: Julie Thompson (left) stretches her ar m as she attempts to blo ck the s hot of B etsy Granstra (foreground) during a water polo match.
GOOD ADVICE
Sleep health of it FOR THE
G
uess what? When your average now is often less than seven hours. It is not unc ommon to mother said you should make sure you get enough hear people boast about how little sleep so that you c an grow up sleep they require to function well healthy and strong, she was right. during the day. Medical studies Over the past several years, that have confirmed that if inadequate common sense wisdom has been hours of sle ep are chronic, or if other reasons for sleep fragmenborn out in medical research. The amount of sle ep that the tation are occurring, significant general U.S. population sched- health consequences may occur, ules each night has significantly including increased risk of c ardecreased over time. In t he early diovascular disease, hypertension, 1900s, the average amount of sleep strokes and dia betes. In addition, obtained per night was greater impairment of cognitive as well as than nine hours. With the advent immune function is affected. Athof electricity, further technology letic and ac ademic performance and altered work schedules, the suffers substantially. Risk of motor vehicle accidents increases exponentially. The social impact of sleep debt is extraordinary. Cost to businesses through illness, loss of time and poor work performance has been estimated in the billions. As a result, the U.S. population spends billions of dollars e ach year on products that claim to help us get to sleep. A comparable amount of money is sp ent on pr oducts containing stimulants to help us stay awake. Coffee is one of the largest commodities in t he world today and caffeine is no doubt one of the most used drugs in the world. Energy drinks are commonplace. It’s true, some people need COURTESY PHOTO medication, but f or the general Dr. Craig Boss population, there are better ways to help facilitate sleep. The first Craig Boss, M.D. thing that is im portant for all of Board certification: Sleep Medicine us to understand is how adequate Charlevoix Area Hospital Sleep Center and consistent hours of sle ep are 14700 Lake Shore Drive, Charlevoix as key as other areas of healthy (231) 547-4024 www.cah.org/services/sleepcenter.html
Dr. Craig Boss
living, such as diet and e xercise. Your body and brain t hrive on consistency when it c omes to sleep. Tips to sleep tight: No. 1: Having an er ratic bedtime and wake time leads to erratic sleep. Remember to have a consistent bedtime and wake time.
No. 2: Schedule more than 7 hours of sle ep each night with a preference of 8 hours . Children require more depending on age. No. 3:
Avoid substances such as caffeine and alc ohol that can impact your a bility to initiate and maintain sleep. No c affeine should be consumed for 10 hours before your bedtime. Caffeine can impact your ability to get to sleep and stay asleep. Those who say they can go to sleep after consuming caffeine probably are extremely sleep-deprived and/or ha ve developed a sig nificant tolerance to caffeine. Even if this is the case, sleep can still b e disrupted. Alcohol also leads to significant disruption of sle ep. Initially, it ma y help people get to sleep but as it is metabolized, wakefulness may result. If you ha ve difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, evening use of alcohol should be avoided.
No. 4: Minimize screen devices before bedtime and dis continue screen devices in t he bedroom. ➤ Continued on page 20
GOODlife 19
Continued from page 19
Technology is a great thing, but screen devices lead to increased wakefulness signals in your brain. Dis continue television, computer, mobile phone and other hand-held devices an hour before your b edtime. Instead, read something relaxing outside of your b edroom with some soft backlighting. This will help you wind down before it’s time to go to bed.
No. 5: Don’t allow yours elf to watch a c lock during the night. If you w ake and ha ve difficulty falling back to sleep, having a clock next to your bed can lead to an incr eased level of anxiety about being awake. When it comes to alarm clocks, set it f or your w ake time and cover it. No. 6: Try to decrease stress in your lif e. Stress and anxie ty can lead to a ver y substantial impact on sleep quality. Write down your c oncerns and wor ries for the day a few hours be-
fore your b edtime. Do this out- snack such as cottage cheese, side of your b edroom. You can yogurt or a small handf ul of alput things down and develop a monds. plan for dealing with your concerns. If anxie ty or de pression No. 10: Be aware of ot her is significant, consult with your sleep disorders that can impact primary care physician. your sleep. For example, if you or your b ed partner has conNo. 7: E xercise and a regu- siderable snoring, witnessed lar daily routine can lead to apneic episodes, with continimprovements in sle ep. Try to ued difficulty initiating and avoid workouts too close to maintaining sleep, obstructive bedtime. If your only time t o sleep apnea may be present. exercise is in t he evening, try This form of sle ep-disordered to keep it as far away from your breathing may lead to substanbedtime as possible. If your core tial difficulty maintaining sleep body temperature is increased causing daytime fatigue and too close to bedtime, it may de- sleepiness. In addition, mo derlay your ability to fall asleep. ate to severe cases of obstr uctive sleep apnea may contribute No. 8: Keep your b edroom to other health consequences cool, dark and quie t. Pets including diabetes, cardiovasshould not sle ep in b ed with cular disease and str oke. Consult your pr imary care physiyou. cian or a b oard-certified sleep medicine physician to facilitate No. 9: Minimize significant diagnosis and treatment. meals before bed. Try to keep at least three hours between your Don’t be fooled. Your body last major meal and bedtime. If needs good sleep to function you are hungry before bedtime, well. Be pro-active and sleep for consider a small, high pr otein the health of it. GL
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20 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
GOOD BUYS
Slip-on traction devices for the bottom of the shoe or boot come in several varieties and all make walking on ice and snow much safer.
Ice cleats I
t is that time of year when Mother Nature has her own agenda regarding snow, freezing rain and sunny days that allow f or thaws. That is why if you live in Nor thern Michigan, a pair of ice cleats, or ice grips, may be just the tool you need. “The No. 1 b enefit is t hat they provide excellent traction on packed snow and ic e. They can fit over almost any shoe or b oot, are relatively inexpensive and are fairly easy to get on and off . Walking the dog, exercising, getting the mail —
Story by Aliana Knapp-Prasek ° Photography by G. Randall Goss
these will help keep you upr ight. They give fantastic traction without being too bulky underfoot. You can run down hill on packed snow and not slip — pr etty cool,” said Josh Baker, who c o-owns The Outfitter in Harbor Springs with his wife, Molly. The Bakers have lots of e xperience with the outdoors and winter. Josh grew up in Harbor Springs and Molly grew up in Good Hart. After college they worked for two years at a summer c amp and en vironmen-
tal education program in Colorado. After going to graduate school in Minnesota, their master’s degrees led them to 12 ye ars of r unning Colgate University’s outdoor education program in New York. “We were starting to have kids and the draw of f amily, the desire to return to Harbor Springs and the need to be home more led us back here. The opportunity to take on The Outfitter made t he move p ossible — we love it,” he said. ➤ Continued on page 22 GOODlife 21
Continued from page 21
Ice cleats are sized according to shoe size. They typically last two or three seasons, but they may last only one, de pending on us e. You can transfer them from shoe to boot back to shoe as long a s your footwear is similar in size. “Usually it is e asiest to put them on while you are wearing the boot or shoe. Cross your le gs and put them on a s though you wer e putting on a pair of s ocks. You can leave them on a c ertain pair of boots for an e xtended period of time, too,” Baker said. Various types and brands of ic e cleats are available at outdoor recreation stores across the area. The Outfitter carries the Yaktrax ($20), Yaktrax Pro ($30) and Yaktrax Run ($40). “The Runs are new this year and they are very nice. They have little cleats in t he forefoot instead of springs. This gives a lit tle more bite while running and walking. One thing that is great to use with Yaktrax is a pair of ski p oles. Not only does it add t o the exercise by involving your arms, it provides a great deal of security from slipping,” he said. The Outfitter is at 153 E. Main St. in Harbors Springs and can be telephoned at (231) 526-2621. “We have a g reat collection of winter clothing and e quipment, including snowshoes, cross-country skis, running shoes, outdoor clothing and footwear,” Baker said. GL
22 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
Aggressive traction cleats for walking on icy surfaces are available at the Outfitter in Harbor Springs.
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24 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH