26 minute read
2022 Brings New Healthy Food Trends
By Tiffanie Grady-Gillespie, Certified Physical Trainer, Certified Corporate Wellness Coach, WickedFiTT
2021 definitely brought a lot of change and hardship for many people. Our everyday habits and behaviors have dramatically shifted.
Our priorities have changed, and many people are focusing on their health and well-being, including paying more attention to what they eat. As a result, food and health trends are changing.
Quoting Hippocrates “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Loosely translates to — eat foods that nourish you both physically and mentally.
I am not sure if anyone has told you, but nutrition is linked to a strong immune system.
Immunity boosters are huge in the food industry right now. Foods and juices with ingredients such as ginger, turmeric, wheatgrass, citrus, echinacea, cayenne pepper or apple cider vinegar are popular.
In addition, immunity boosters such as eating a more plant-based diet and fewer processed foods are on the rise.
OK, I love this one. It appears people are getting tired of the fad diets and gimmicky supplements that promise big results but don’t deliver. 1 word: Infomercials. Consumers are embracing eating styles that welcome all foods in moderation, as most people don’t want to avoid chocolate for the rest of their life. You know who you are.
We are saying good-bye to extreme diets, processed diets and false promises. As we move forward in 2022, we’ll see more people looking to eat food that has a purpose and improves our physical and mental health.
As a fitness professional, I think these changes are a step in the right direction. I believe we can enjoy everything in moderation — and that you can have a healthy and happy relationship with your food and body. As such, I look to 2022 with excitement — and I hope you do, too.
The Legends of Superior Trails Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit based in Superior, will host its signature fundraiser Hashbrowns, History and Hiking events in February and March.
These events feature a hearty breakfast, historical presentation and a guided hike on segments of the Legends of Superior Trails. Tickets for each event are $25; seats are limited for each event and you are encouraged to prepurchase your tickets online at www.superioraztrails.com.
The breakfast and historical presentations will be hosted at the Superior Chamber of Commerce, 165 Main Street. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., presentations begin shortly after 8 a.m. Then, guests can take a guided hike on the Legends of Superior Trails.
This year the hiking series will feature: History of Pinal City — Feb. 11, 2022. This event includes a guided hike through the remnants Pinal City. Learn about how the Silver King Mine and Pinal City were discovered and how quickly Pinal City a town of great economic promise became a legendary ghost town. RSVP: www.conta.cc/3Inhl0n.
Mining History of Superior — Feb. 19. Sponsored by Resolution Copper Mining, this presentation will feature historians and cultural engineers from Westland Resources on the history of Mining in Superior. The guided hike on the Queen Creek Canyon segment of the LOST will show guests where historic mining operations once operated and explain the mine workings of the past. RSVP: www.conta.cc/3mBfGeg.
History of U .S . 60, Miami -Superior Highway — March 5, 2022. The Queen Creek Canyon segment of the LOST trail was once home to the Miami-Superior highway, a highway that was one of the first million dollar highways. Join local historian and retired ADOT engineer Rick Powers for a presentation on the history of the highway and how the highway changed the economic opportunities for the communities of Miami and Superior. The highway will celebrate its 100th anniversary in April. RSVP: www.conta.cc/3dQqu3g.
Geological History of Queen Creek Canyon — March 19. Learn about how the geological formations of Picket Post and Apache Leap Mountains were formed, and learn about the geological history of the area with Arizona State University Prof. Steve Semken. RSVP: www.conta.cc/3Ge2cwu.
Guests are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing such as long pants and sleeves and to provide their own water for hiking.
For more information about Legends of Superior Trails, activities and hiking in the general Superior area, visit www.superioraztrails.com. For event tickets or specific event questions, call LOST at 602.935.9034.
Your Skin Needs a Screen All Winterlong by Blake Herzog
Arizona is Arizona, and even its nondesert regions tend to be mostly sunny year-round. This makes it even more imperative for us to wear sunscreen in the winter, a selfcare step too many people around the country and world overlook.
Increased cloud cover and more time spent indoors fools many people into letting their guard down against the sun’s UV rays this time of year, but perhaps not surprisingly, they’re too strong to be defeated by clusters of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air.
They are weakened somewhat by winter clouds but are still a formidable force that can penetrate our skin, leading to premature aging and heightened risk of skin cancer.
Sunglasses are another line of defense which is more likely to be tossed aside in winter since the sunlight feels weaker and doesn’t make us as squinty. But they’re important to protect not just our vision but the more delicate skin on our eyelids and surrounding the eyes, which are some of the first spots to show signs of aging. Five to 10% of all skin cancers are found on the upper or lower eyelid.
Here are some important tips to remember about winter sunscreen use:
Apply, apply again
The guideline of applying sunscreen before you go out, then reapplying every two hours or after you perspire holds up in the winter as well as it does in summer. Cold winds and snow can chip away at the effectiveness of its protection just as much as the heat and humidity of summer.
Winter sports warning
The reflective power of snow and increased UV radiation at the elevations they usually take place mean skiing, snowboarding and related pastimes increase your chances of getting sunburned. Use a good sport sunscreen of at least 30 SPF or higher if your skin burns easily.
Elevate your protection
UV rays gain strength with altitude, so living in the more elevated regions of the state adds a risk factor for us that even the lower deserts with their brutal summer conditions don’t have. This is something to remember throughout the year.
Stay covered up
It’s easier to stay covered up in the winter, but it’s also easy to feel like shedding some of your layers in celebration when temperatures become unseasonably warm. Don’t try to establish your “polar bear” cred by wearing short sleeves and shorts when it’s still chilly out — you’re protecting yourself from the sun as well as the cold. At least wear sunscreen if you do!
Peak hours are the same
Sunlight is most intense between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., just like the rest of the year, so these are the times to avoid being outside for more than a few minutes, if you can. It’s still good to spend a few minutes daily exposing your unprotected skin to sunlight for vitamin D synthesis and other benefits, but this may not be the best time to do that.
Chairman Miguel with his youngest daughter Stella spent absorbing the knowledge of Luis Manuel Jr., Delia Carlyle, Terry Enos and William Antone.
“I was nervous,” he says. “This was like a who’s who of Ak-Chin leaders. I said to myself I am going shut-up, be quiet, be like a sponge and soak everything up, and I learned from each one of them and then tried intertwining the way each one of them thinks as I became Chairman.”
He also spent time with Leona Kakar, one of Ak-Chin’s most instrumental leaders in establishing water rights for the Tribe and served on the Farm Board since 1965.
“I’m truly blessed to have had Leona Kakar still in the office as a member of the Farm Board,” says Miguel. “I spent time with her and embraced all the knowledge she shared—she is the greatest.”
The Council is responsible for the well-being of 1,100 Tribal members. It oversees 32 departments and marketing ventures throughout the state. Agriculture is still the Tribe’s primary mainstay as the reservation sits on 22,000 acres. Major enterprises include Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, Southern Dunes Golf Club and the Ak-Chin Circle Entertainment Center.
Miguel says on behalf of the Tribe he wants to continue pushing for opportunities for the members, improving on education and health care. He says most of the Council’s work probably won’t show for another 10 to15 years but they will continue to make advancements with their economic growth and development while looking to expand their land base.
On the marketing side, Miguel says the Tribe will stay aggressive and competitive as members see the impact being made with the casino and gaming industry.
“It’s not just about bettering the lives of our people, but all of Arizona,” Miguel says, referencing economic effects, job creations and the draw to the state for the biggest events like
Super Bowls and the Phoenix Open.
Miguel says it is important for the Tribe to “have a seat at the table,” not just with industry but also with regional infrastructure and Indian affairs. He says he makes it a point to talk to congressional and state representatives on the growing needs of the Ak-Chin Community and the City of Maricopa, saying they are “one.”
“We grew up together. We were there together when it was hard times and nothing out here, but we did what we could together, I want to continue and maintain that,” he says. 2020 came at Miguel and the Community like a 100-mile-an-hour curveball. The COVID-19 pandemic began to ravage not just the world, but Indian Country in particular — with higher numbers that came with fatal consequences. Like other tribes, the Ak-Chin Community began to take measures including a shutdown of all its non-essential departments and ventures, which included the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino and the AkChin Circle Entertainment Center.
Miguel worked with his fellow councilmembers to keep the Tribe members informed, engaged, and spirits lifted.
Without being able to gather as they normally would, one of the memorable events for Miguel during this time was when the Tribe brought in a popular band to play for the members. The band was placed on a trailer and went to designated locations so everyone could listen from their front porches.
“This was beautiful because listening live to our traditional and cultural music gave us a sense of peace, comfort and thought that everything will be OK,” Miguel says.
“Despite all the ugliness of the pandemic, I am so proud of my membership, employees and those associated with the Community for understanding the rules, regulations and guidelines put in place for the health and safety for all.”
Miguel’s leadership style continues to be respected outside of the reservation’s boundaries and where it matters most to him — among his Native American peers.
He sits as vice president of the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, and chairman of the Arizona Tribal Governments for Gaming. He also sits on the board of the Native American Rights Fund, a national organization advocating on behalf of tribes; he is the only board member from Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes. In November, he was one of five leaders selected to represent North America for ICE London in 2022, one of the world’s largest business expos for the gaming industry.
Miguel says he always feels humbled and honored to be selected and represent; it is never about himself but the Ak-Chin Community and Native American country. He says the relationships and the support the Tribe is gaining on both the state and national level will have a “building bridges effect” for the next generation.
“Twenty, 30 years from now, when our future leaders travel to D.C. to speak and they hear Ak-Chin — they’ll already know about us,” he says. “I’m just part of the wheel to keep the train rolling.”
Even though Miguel and the AkChin Community are becoming nationally recognized for their economic progress and influence on Native American affairs, the greatest compliment in regards to his personal leadership style is being told by the elders of the community that he reminds them of his grandfather.
Daily motivation comes from an instilled attitude of “doing what you can to help your community.”
Miguel reflects on his grandfather, one of the last individual landowner and farmers in the Community, always using a portion of his crop to feed the Tribe.
“People would talk to me, and I would just listen, like a counselor — giving them advice or help when I could — to just be a part of their lives."
“I remember as kid, watering the fields, the crops; my grandfather would take the harvest to Maricopa to sell,” he says. “But there was a certain part of the field that he would not harvest for any profit. He would take those fruits and vegetables to each home in the Community to help them with their needs — that was one of the things my grandfather taught me — just to help others as much as you can.”
The key to success
Miguel says he knows it’s a cliché to say it, but that it is also true in his case — Miguel’s wife Connie is the great woman behind him, giving him support so he can do his work on behalf the Tribe.
Together they have five girls and two boys. It has been eight years since he started his career in leadership and 11 years when Miguel is finished with his current term. While he says it has been a blessing to be able to serve the Tribe in his capacity, the couple looks forward to a time when they can spend more time together — “to catch up on life.”
With the travel and duties of Chairman, Connie has focused on the well-being of the household, making sure everyone’s needs are met. Miguel says a difficult aspect of their relationship and roles stems from being in the spotlight, without normal privacy, not being able to respond to negativity and criticisms that inherently comes with
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YOU Health, Happiness & Education CAC Outstanding Alumni and Hall of Famer Announced
by Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing, Central Arizona College
Adrianna Saavedra and Michael “Mikey” Flores II have been named CAC Outstanding She has worked for the Maricopa Community College District and was the library manager for Coolidge. Alumni and Al Shirley was inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame
Saavedra has 23 years of library experience; for 10 she has served as CAC director of library services. She graduated from CAC in 2000; transferring to the University of Arizona where she got a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in library science. Flores was born, raised and continues to live in Coolidge. He graduated from CAC in 2000 with an associate’s degree in arts. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2006 with a bachelor’s in applied psychology. While at ASU, Flores began working at Desert Winds Counseling. He also worked at the Coolidge Youth Coalition. He Photo: Victor Moreno
is president of the Coolidge Unified School District’s governing board.
Coach Shirley began his CAC career in 1998 as an academic adviser, assistant cross-country and track and field coach. In 2004, he was named head track and field coach. Shirley accrued over 50 ACCAC conference and Region 1 Championships. He is enshrined in the NJCAA Coaches Hall of Fame and the ACCAC Hall of Fame.
The Four Freshmen
Saturday, February 19 @ 2 pm CAC Pence Center Auditorium | $22
Singing with a harmony uniquely their own, The Four Freshmen have enamored listeners world-wide for years while gaining recognition as one of the most in uential vocal groups of all time. Their tight-knit sound inspired The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, The Mamas & The Papas, Frankie Valli and the Manhattan Transfer. While paying tribute to such classic Freshmen favorites as “Day By Day” and “Blue World,” the current group also continues to bring new arrangements to their live shows and recordings. In concert The Freshmen shine on brand new arrangements of “Come Fly with Me” and “I Ain’t Got Nobody.” Within their show you will also hear the body swaying “Summer Samba.” One can’t forget the toe tapping “Route 66.” As four amazing musical talents, their show is one not to be missed! Whether accompanied by a big band, symphony orchestra or self-contained; their youth, vitality, and talent adds a modern twist of elegance to a time-honored sound. The Four Freshmen are Great Gentlemen of Song and True Masters of Harmony.
The Ultimate Family Home improvement?
MOST OF US have an ideal home, whether because of the number of cabinets or the space to plant an amazing garden. There are many things we consider when planning out the perfect home, but they all typically involve construction and fancy accessories. Do we take into consideration the quality of life within our homes? The ultimate family home Improvement? A safe, calm, and prepared home environment.
Hint: it starts with A safe, stable, and welcoming home environment!
SAFETY
About one-third of American children live in a home with a firearm, and nearly half of those homes don't lock the guns. The American Pediatrics Association states that the safest home for children is one in which there are no guns at all, but if you do keep a firearm, keep them locked away and unloaded to keep kids and other household members safe. Likewise, keep alcohol, medications, toxic household products such as bleach and ammonia, and choking hazards out of reach of children or adults who may need additional supervision.
There are many steps you can take to create a healing home, but the core idea is to reduce stress triggers as much as possible. In addition to the physical changes you can make to your home's arrangement and lighting, you can help create calm by managing your own stress. Learning to take deep breaths when you are frustrated or create relaxing rituals during stressful times can not only help you feel better, it can provide a healthy role model for the people you live with.
STABILITY
PREPARE
The best thing you can do to minimize the consequences of emergencies is to plan ahead of time. Every home should contain these important items. An easily accessible fire extinguisher and least one working fire/smoke detector. And a first-aid kit, a flashlights with fresh batteries
COMFORT
We humans all have a strong need for safety and security and look for those attributes in our environment. We also look for physical comfort, such as an environment with the right temperature, and psychological comfort, where there is a mix of familiarity and stimulus. Consider ways boost your comfort level.
NATURE
Studies show that even a short contact with nature can significantly reduce stress, reduce anger and fear, and increase pleasant feelings. So if you have views of trees or other plants or natural elements, place a comfortable chair where you can enjoy them. You can also add indoor plants, aquariums, or art with a nature theme and get much of the same effect. The Casa Grande Alliance provides trauma-responsive prevention education programming and services, youth coalition leadership, and treatment and recovery resource navigation. Our community coalition is a network of organizations dedicated to building individual, family, and community resiliency.
Pinal County Press
County Rewards Citizens for Reporting Illegal Dumping
Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer announced in December a new program incentivizing residents to report illegal dumping incidents with cash awards.
These rewards are part of a “Keep Pinal Pristine” campaign led by his office and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office to reduce the frequency of the problem, which has been fouling open deserts and commercial properties for decades.
A new web page at www.pinalcountyaz.gov/ Pages/keep-pinal-pristine. aspx compiles links where people can leave tips on illegal dumping sites and learn about legal alternatives like countyoperated disposal sites and services, free disposal days at landfills and county cleanup events.
Those who report information to the county that leads to charges and a conviction will be eligible for a $500 cash reward drawn from a fund to be replenished by illegal dumping fines. Tips can be provided through the website or calling PCSO at 520.866.5111.
Officials want as many details as possible from people submitting tips, including videos or photos, witnesses and/or names of individuals involved. The county prosecutes dumpers in all unincorporated areas, including San Tan Valley.
Too many open fields, washes and vacant lots have turned into unsightly and environmentally hazardous dumping sites used by those unsure of what to do with old mattresses, appliances, furniture, tires, yard waste, construction waste and every other type of refuge imaginable.
“It’s not just an eyesore for our counties and communities, it’s illegal,” Sheriff Mark Lamb said. Penalties for illegal dumping range from a $500 fine to 18 months in jail.
Pinal County District 2 Supervisor Mike Goodman said he’s fully behind the initiative, acknowledging the scale of the issue across Pinal County.
“I want to thank County Attorney Kent Volkmer for taking the lead on this initiative, as well as all our staff that put in the work behind the scenes to bring this to fruition,” he said.
More news on page 97…
Pinal County Press
Route 347 Study Proposes Several Traffic, Safety Fixes
The long-term traffic issues on State Route 347, the main artery between the City of Maricopa and the Phoenix metro area, is the subject of a study supported by several levels of government seeking a long-term resolution.
A draft version of the final study was released in December by the Maricopa Association of Governments that proposes several scenarios for improving the capacity and safety of the four-lane highway between its northern end at Interstate 10 and Peters and Nall Road on the AkChin Indian Community, just south of the city.
At least 14 studies already have been conducted on all or parts of this road segment and were used to identify the major needs and concepts for revamping 347 to accommodate the fast-growing population and businesses in and around the city. This information was then distilled into preferred alternatives for segments and intersections within the 20-mile study area.
For purposes of this study, the segment under study was divided into Segment 1 between I-10 to south of Riggs Road, Segment 2 from that point south to the city’s boundary, and Segment 3 from the northern city line to Peters and Nall Road.
The study’s recommendations for Segments 1 and 2 were to build a six-lane “Arizona Parkway,” in accordance with the wishes of stakeholders from the Gila River tribe, whose land these segments would be traversing.
This would be a divided highway in which drivers wanting to make a left turn onto 347 from an intersecting road would need to make “indirect left turns,” or U-turns across the median after they’ve passed 347, and then access it with a right turn. This is considered a safer design than a traditional intersection by reducing the number of potential crash scenarios.
Image courtesy of Maricopa Association of Governments
Continued on page 97…
Hospital … continued from page 56
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Frederick Johnson said the hospital will expand the range of health care services available locally.
“The City of Maricopa has lacked a significant amount of high capability (care) in the community, only having primary care and urgent care. So we’ll have the ability to do quite a few things from media CT scans to taking care of serious problems like heart attacks, broken bones and things of that nature that aren’t typically available in a community like this without a hospital,” he said.
Maricopa’s first hospital is creating 60 to 100 jobs for a city with 1,200 health care workers who commute at least 30 minutes to work, according to a City of Maricopa-commissioned labor study. With more plans for hospitals and other medical care facilities in the community there will soon be additional employment options for this workforce, city officials said.
Giving Pills to Pets is Tricky
by Gigi McWhirter
Just like humans, some, maybe most, animals do not like taking medications, especially in the form of a pill or capsule.
We have all tried hiding the pill in a favorite treat like peanut butter or stuffing it in something yummy like a chunk of cheese or a treat off our plate. We have bought “pill pockets” in which the medication is placed in the pocket of the treat, and even a piller, a tube-like plunger apparatus with a claw designed to hold a pill so that when pressed, releases the medication into the pet’s mouth — only to discover, that no matter the method, we find the treat has been consumed and the pill spit out.
We then eventually try to force it down the dog which, for the pet, can be terrifying or can cause distrust, and even worse can cause injury to the pet or the pill-giver.
It has been theorized that a dog because of its keen sense of smell can detect the scent of not only the medication but also the scent of the handler on the medication, which is how they know to pick it out.
If you must give a pill either in an emergency or urgent situation and all else fails try using this vet recommended procedure:
❚ With one hand, gently grab the muzzle from above, taking care not to place the pet’s lips or your fingers underneath the teeth.
❚ Gently, tilt the head back, releasing the lower jaw. With the medication held firmly between index finger and thumb, use your remaining fingers or lower edge of your hand to softly open the jaw. ❚ Place the pill as far into the mouth as possible, aiming to drop it on the back third of the tongue. Quickly close the mouth, holding the jaw closed with your hand.
❚ Tenderly massage the throat to stimulate swallowing and permit you to confirm that the pill is
“down the hatch.”
❚ Now, reward your pet (and yourself) with a favorite treat.
If you are still having trouble dosing your pet, contact your veterinarian to ask for suggestions and possibly try another form of the medication.
Happy Tails to You!
Protect your Pet while Pampering with Toys
by Christia Gibbons
Leave an empty box on the floor. Turn away for 1 second. Turn back in another second. Oh, there’s the cat, doing what entertains it best: Sleeping. In. A. Box.
We’re all about pleasing our pets (our cats are somewhat better at amusing themselves), and we love to pamper them year-round. But we need to be thoughtful about which toys to give them.
Veterinarians want us to stay away from giving laser pointers, balls of yarn, tennis balls and stuffed animals. Oops, many pet owners are guilty of plying their pets with these toys.
But the experts say that while you may be entertained watching your cat chase a laser point of light, you are frustrating them because they never are able to actually catch their “prey.”
As for that ball of yarn, you may be introducing your frolicking feline to a health hazard. Yarn string, thread, floss, rope and similar items can be swallowed, looped around kitty’s tongue or get bunched up in their intestines.
That fuzz on the tennis balls — you know the slobbering, slick feeling when you throw it — can actually act like sandpaper to a dog’s teeth, and that’s not a good thing. Go ahead and play fetch, but make sure to take the toy away once the game is over so no extra chewing is going on. Dogs have been known to rub their teeth down to their gums.
While ripping apart a stuffed toy is, well, really fun, don’t forget those stuffed creatures come with plastic eyes and other parts your dog could swallow. Swallowing a chunk of stuffing could lead to intestinal obstruction. Never leave your pet alone with such a toy; keep a vigilant eye.
Beware the ball that has a single hole. Dogs can get their tongues stuck in those holes. So, closely examine any ball before buying one for your pet. Big dogs can swallow golf balls and small bouncy ones — stay away from those.
Also, the experts warn that the cheaper toys (and pet food and treats) from China are made with few, if any, safety regulations or government oversight. Be aware of the possibility they are contaminated with heavy metals, other toxins and choking hazards.
While leashes aren’t toys, they are an everyday accoutrement to your pet’s life. Stay away from retractable leashes that can cause friction burns and cuts to you and your pet. Consider a short bungee leash instead.
DO’S & DON’T’S FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND
Additionally, don’t let your cat play with: • Paper clips • Rubber bands • Feather toys • Plastic bags • Toys with small parts inside • Toys small enough for your cat to swallow (such as sparkle balls)
Do let them play with: • Chase and pounce toys • Treat dispensing toys • Cat water fountains • Cat tunnels • Cat exercise wheels • Cat climbing toys
For your canine friends, avoid: • Sticks • Synthetic stuffing • Kids’ toys • Squeaker toys when you can’t determine the durability of the actual squeaker • Human toys • Plastic “chew” bones
Do research the best: • Active toys (think tug-of-war) • Distraction toys • Comfort toys • Puzzle toys • Fetch toys
