San Diego Woman Tracy Anderson

Woman San Diego

Informing, Entertaining, and Featuring the Women of San Diego

Tracy Anderson Trainer to the Stars, Inspiration to Us All

“8 Kinds of Friends All Women Need ”

What I Really Want… www.sdwomanmagazine.com

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Six Figures

San Diego

Woman

MOMS MAKING IT HAPPEN AT HOME

Jennifer Becker shares a story that many mom’s can easily relate to – “I worked hard to have a successful career, but after having children the corporate world was no longer appealing to me. The late hours, travel, and being away from my two young daughters was breaking my heart. I felt I was missing out on significant mile stones and no one could fill the role of “mommy” while I was away. I prayed for an option to replace my income yet have a flexible schedule, I started to give up hope and figured something like that simply didn’t exist for moms like me.

Shortly after, I came across Mom’s Making Six Figures and I assumed maybe it was a support group for mom’s who had to work outside the home. I met with Founder Heidi Bartolotta and discovered Mom’s Making Six Figures is a marketing company that allows women to work from home and either replace or supplement their income, I left our meeting feeling like she was the answer I had been praying for! Reaching out and deciding to partner with Mom’s Making Six Figures has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, my life has changed significantly from volunteering in my daughter’s kindergarten class, attending school field trips, taking my 3 year old to weekly gymnastics classes and spending Saturday mornings on the soccer field, all while earning a significant income around my family’s schedule.”

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We’ve developed a business model that requires no overhead, no inventory and no selling. ~ Heidi Bartolotta, Owner Can a mother really stay at home and make six figures?

Heidi Bartolotta, President and owner of Mom’s Making Six Figures, says the answer is definitely yes! We don’t sell anything and we are not your traditional home-based business, we’ve developed a business model that requires no overhead, no inventory and no selling. Sound too good to be true?

Simply visit www.momsmakingsixfigures.com and submit a request for more information. A professional mentor will contact you and help you get started.

Cedar City Magazine | December/January 2014 1

Woman San Diego

Dear Readers,

We are thrilled this issue to have Tracy Anderson grace our cover. When you think of Fitness you cannot help but think of Tracy. She has helped to train some of the best bodies in Hollywood. What is surprising, is that she never intended to be a fitness expert. It was her own unexpected weight gain that caused her to seek out answers and luckily for us, when she did, she chose to share these answers with all of us. Learn some of her tips for getting and keeping your beach body.

As the Editor and Publisher of this magazine, I like every other woman who reads our publication, has favorite issues and in those issues, favorite stories. This issue contains my favorite feature “Women of Distinction,” I spent a lot of time meeting and interviewing the magnificent women who were selected for these features. They are women from all walks of life.

We have an All Star Personal Trainer, a Doctor, a Dentist, a Belly Dancer, a Real Estate Specialist, a Mortgage Professional, a Financial Planner, and more.

Although they come from varied walks of life, they have many things in common. Perhaps the most common characteristic is an indomitable spirit. Not all of them planned out their futures when they were young women, but when their decisions were made, they forged ahead and conquered many obstacles in their way. As a famous song lyric states, “I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman,” I made a decision after my experiences with this issue and that is that we need to have a Women of Distinction section in every issue, because that is truly what San Diego Woman is about. It is a platform upon which we can share the experiences of Women who have beat all odd, who have done the seemingly impossible, often as single moms supporting their children on their own, while running a business or a practice.

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We want every woman who reads our magazine to realize that “No star is out of reach” Take some time and read the stories about some of these amazing women and get inspired. Because, they will inspire you.

Sincerely,

Judith A. Habert Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Subscription Information

Annual subscriptions available on request Please send name, mailing address, and check for $25.00 payable to San Diego Woman.

Subscriptions can also be purchased online at www.sdwomanmagazine.com

San Diego Woman 11835 Carmel Mountain Road Suite 1304-346 San Diego, CA 92128 888 275 7125 858 735 5301

Disclaimer: Products, services, practices, websites or informational packets mentioned within our pages are in no way an endorsement by San Diego Woman, but are provided to our readers for informational purposes only.

Privacy Advisory: Personal information provided by our readers will be used solely for the purposes of providing requested information and will not be shared.

Model: Tracy Anderson Photo Credit: Smallz & Raskind

Graphics/Magazine Layout: Sonali Soni www.sonalidesignstudio.com

Inside This Issue

San Diego

Woman

What I Really Want Is… …………………………………………………Page 10 Tracy Anderson …………………………………………………………...Page 12 Writer’s Reviews ………………………………………………………….Page 14 Women of Distinction …………………………………………………….Page 17 Bertha Benz ……………………………………………………………....Page 17 Dr. Kristine Reese ………………………………………………………..Page 18 Robin “Nadirah” Bray …………………………………………………….Page 19 Dr. Leilani Vidal …………………………………………………………...Page 21 Donna Steward …………………………………………………………...Page 23 Artha Zahniser ……………………………………………………………Page 24 Dr. Shira Shasho …………………………………………………………Page 25 Shelley Lee Boyce ……………………………………………………….Page 26 Dr. Nisha Bunke ………………………………………………………….Page 27 Explaining The Small Business Failure Rate …………………………Page 33 It’s Easy to Eat Right …………………………………………………….Page 33 There’s A Gender Gap in Sports Injuries ……………………………...Page 35 How Social Media Can Make or Break Your Brand …………………..Page 37 A Martial Arts Perspective on Exercise…………………………………Page 39 Stress and Its Correlation to Neck Pain ……………………………….Page 40 The First Lady of the Land ……………………………………………...Page 40 8 Kinds of Friends That Every Woman Needs ………………………..Page 42 Change, it’s hard but worth it …………………………………………...Page 45 The Promise ……………………………………………………………...Page 46

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Inside Every Issue Letter from the Editor ………………………………………………………Page 4 Letters to the Editor ………………………………………………………..Page 8 Poetry Corner ……………………………………………………………….Page 16 Fabulous Finds ……………………………………………………………..Page 28 He Said, She Said …………………………………………………………..Page 32 Bitchin & Moaning ……………………………………………………........Page 34 Transitions with Carol LeBeau …………………………………………..Page 36 PINK PAGES …………………………………………………………………Page 47

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief editor@sdwomanmagazine.com

6 Sonali Soni

Creative Director

creativedirector@sdwomanmagazine.com

11835 Carmel Mountain Road Suite 1304-346 San Diego, CA 92128 888 275 7125 858 735 5301 www.sdwomanmagazine.com

Graphics/Magazine Layout: Sonali Soni www.sonalidesignstudio.com

San Diego

Judith A. Habert

Woman

Behind the Pages

Judith A. Habert Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Sonali Soni Creative Director

Robert Tussey Copy Editing

Jaime V. Habert Entertainment Editor

Dawn Nicoli Photographer

Lisa K. Miller Photographer

Now find us on: Facebook.com/SanDiegoWoman

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W R I T E R S

Carol LeBeau

Carol LeBeau spent close to 30 years as a beloved fixture on San Diego News. Today she is enjoying her retirement, as well as a second career as an in demand speaker at functions throughout San Diego. In addition to her many speaking engagements, Carol is a columnist for San Diego Woman speaking about life after her news career.

Deeba Van Overberghe Ronnie Blair Daughter of an artist, Deeba grew up with the influence of art all around her. Deeba has dedicated the last 14 years to refining her artistic talents and abilities in Fine and Decorative Arts and Illustration.

She has illustrated books here in San Diego, painted murals as far away as Indonesia and flown to places like Wyoming and Hawaii for Decorative Painting.

Ronnie Blair is Senior Creative Director at EMSI Public Relations.

EMSI Public Relations (www.emsincorporated.com), is an award-winning national agency.

Pamela Waller-Niven Gerald Neff Pamela Waller-Niven is a poet, freelance writer and entrepreneur. Pam's love of art led to her to write "Interpretive Verses" for paintings by San Diego artists featured in their gallery shows. She has a BA in International Business from SDSU. Pam is working on two poetry books, a cook book and developing her line of greeting cards and t-shirts. Contact her at pwaller.niven@gmail.com.

With more than 40 years living and working in South America in the agriculture and forestry business, topped off with 25 years in the U.S. Embassy and Peace Corps.His writing experience includes local publications and years of U.S. Embassy reports; so sit back and enjoy the ride.

Marsha Friedman Marsha Friedman is a public relations expert with 25 years’ experience developing publicity strategies for celebrities, corporations and media newcomers alike. She is founder and CEO of EMSI Public Relations (www. emsincorporated.com), an award-winning national agency. Marsha has also served as the former senior vice president for marketing at the American Economic Council, Marsha is a sought-after advisor on PR issues and strategies.

She shares her knowledge in her Amazon best-selling book, Celebritize Yourself, and as a popular speaker at organizations around the country.

P H OTO G R A P H E R s

Debbie Storms

Debbie has enjoyed many careers from accountant to air traffic controller.

She believes life is an adventure to be lived to its fullest. Growing up in New Jersey, she learned life skills to help her practice that credo. Her passion for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She is now focusing on writing about her travels and interviewing entertainers, which is a great combo!

Laura Chavarín

San Diego native, Laura Chavarín, teaches Spanish in North County. Her passions are cooking, travel and writing. (Not necessarily in that order) She has lived in Mexico and taught in China and Costa Rica.

Laura is a freelance writer who has been published in local publications and looks forward to writing more now that her children are grown.

Jan Ropes

Jan Ropes is a freelance writer and retired bilingual educator, who spent her career specializing in second language acquisition. An exercise enthusiast, her passions include music, travel and being a proud mom and grandma.

She currently lives in Fallbrook, California, with Jeff, her husband of fortythree years

Dawn Nicoli

For over 20 years Dawn has owned and operated Nicoli Productions, an environmental portrait studio, run out of her two acre property in Escondido.

Starting a new chapter of her life, when serenity has become so important, Dawn spends her time in her palapa tree house with her dog, Karma, exploring the world of writing.

Lisa K Miller Lisa is the owner of Photography by Lisa K, a custom portrait studio located in San Diego, specializing in the highest quality portraiture. As the mother of twins, Lisa shines at capturing moments in pregnancy and early life. She shares her talents with many local charities www.photographybylisak.com

Dr. Sanam Hafeez Dr. Sanam Hafeez is an appointed faculty member at Columbia University’s PhD program in Clinical Psychology and a New York City based Neuropsychologist. She has written and presented several papers on various aspects of development, learning problems, behavior modification and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She frequently appears on CNN and on Dr. Oz.

Pamela Herrmann and Patty Dominguez

Pamela Herrmann and Patty Dominguez cofounded CREATE Buzz (www.createbuzznow.com), an online training experience that helps business owners and their employees get powerful, positive and practical customer engagement habits that build loyalty. Herrmann and Dominguez co-host the Customers For Life podcast and The Morning Would Show, providing daily motivation. In addition, Pamela is author of The Customer Manifesto.

Woman San Diego

San Diego

Robert has been a published writer for over thirty years and has been providing editing services for the past twenty-five.

As a musician, he has written scores of songs. His life has revolved around his music and writing, often melding the two into articles and interviews.

Woman

Robert Tussey

Letters Editor to the

It was so refreshing to see real women on the cover of a magazine. Thanks San Diego Woman for showing this town that not all women are the same. This is one of my favorite things about your magazine.

Annie from San Diego San Diego has gotten to be a great place to explore wineries. The Bernardo Winery is such a fun place to go.

My cousin was married there, and I didn’t know that much about it until I attended her wedding. It was fabulous. I was happy to see an article about one of my favorite new weekend hangouts. Don’t miss their farmers market on Fridays, that’s fun too.

Lilly from Clairemont The article by Robert Tussey was great. My husband and I just celebrated our 10th anniversary and I only hope that we will look as happy and as much in love as he and his wife look after 33 years.

Dana from Point Loma

Thank you for San Diego Woman. I look forward to reading every issue. I always find some educational fact or amusing anecdote. I pass it on to my sister and she passes it on to her girlfriends. Sometimes I just tell her to go get her own copy, because there are recipes or stories that I want to hold on to. You are doing a great job of sharing important stories with San Diegan Women. I love your magazine.

Maggie from Fallbrook I love seeing Carol LeBeau in your magazine. My husband and I miss seeing her on the evening news, but thanks to your magazine we still get to have a little bit of her in our home. She is a super lady and she is loved by all of us in San Diego.

Clara from San Diego

Woman San Diego

Advertise in San Diego Woman Because It's The Right Thing to Do!

8 With 91% of all purchasing decisions made by women, why not go right to the source? Advertise in San Diego Woman.

Contact us today at 888 275 7125 11835 Carmel Mountain Road Suite 1304-346 San Diego, CA 92128 email:editor@sdwomanmagazine.com

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San Diego

Woman

WHAT I REALLY WANT IS...

By Debbie Storms

"Priceless Tips You Can't Afford To Miss" We all work hard for our money to the extent there are songs written about it. How would you feel if you could make your money work for you on your shopping sprees? Get a real bang for your buck! Saving while spending can happen. It all starts with knowing what, where and when your treasure hunt begins.

Cambridge dictionary defines 'treasure hunt' as a game in which the players are given a series of clue-pieces of information to direct them to a hidden 'what' prize. I like to think of my prize as a new pair of shoes; the where to be determined after a bit of research and the when I like to believe can happen when my heart desires.

This is a great time of year to take an inventory of my belongings to make room for the bargains I find. The gift cards I received this past holiday season for places I don't frequent is a great way to get some cash for the things I really want. Here are a few sites to visit that will give you cash for

industry has been making upgrades to the dining and entertainment for cruisers. It is a competitive industry and that makes it great for finding a great deal for your vacation. One of the many benefits of living in Southern California is that we have cruise line ports within driving distance. The San Diego and Los Angeles area ports have year round sailings.

Driving offers flexibility verses arranging airline flights to fly to your departing port. Last minute cruises offer great discounts on sailings. Each cruise line has their own web-site offering deals and specials such as on board credits to spend while sailing. Cruisecritics.com is a good resource to find deals or use as a price gauge while you are shopping for your vacation.

An informed consumer will get the best deals. The web site offers pricing for what ever cruise your heart desires and also offers reviews. Wherever you choose to purchase your vacation this will be a tool to let you know if you are spending too much. Vacationstogo.com is another good source. If your travels are taking you to another state or country to board your cruise and you are booking your airline flight with the cruise, or independently checking the airline prices for participating airlines using farecompare.com, will narrow down the airlines offering the best prices for the route you are flying.

It offers pricing, stops and schedules by each airline servicing your destination and saves travelers a lot of time. It links you to other travel sites and helps cut out a few steps that save you time and money. Booking your flight a day or two before your cruise departs is recommended in case you hit a hiccup or two during your travels, and, allows you to visit a location you have already paid airfare for. I like to think of it as a bonus!

Timing is everything: A quick look at the best times to book a cruise to help you figure out how to get the best value for your cruise. For those of you looking to cool off and head to Alaska and take in the spectacular scenery the cruise season is from May to September, with peak cruising in July and August.

The best prices will be found in early May or September. The short season and high demand make it a little bit of a challenge to get a big discount so look for the specials that the cruise lines are offering for land excursions, free gratuities and on board credits.

Gratuities are added to your account based on a set daily rate and remember to get your fare including taxes and fees on all cruises.

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those cards. GiftCardGranny.com, GiftCardRescue.com and CardPool. com. They buy your unwanted gift cards at a discount and sell them at a discount. The newly purchased cards are generally good for up to 180 days. Let's go shopping!

San Diego offers great shopping opportunities. There are four outlet malls offering over 200 stores within a fifty-minute radius. That will surly keep you busy when you are on a major shopping spree. To receive updates about sales and specials join the VIP lounge on premiumoutlets.com. The Premium Outlet Stores offer 25% to 65% off everyday retail prices. Stop by the Information Center especially if you plan on doing a lot of shopping and pick up your VIP coupon brochure, which offers discounts for select stores.

It is free with an AAA membership card otherwise it costs $5. Have no fear when you are on a road trip, traveling on business or just out of town take a peak at outletbound.com and you will find 200 outlet stores and malls at your fingertips.

And speaking of traveling, a perfect time to hit the outlets is when you are ready to go on vacation. Travel professionals have stated that taking a cruise is an economical way to travel. Comparing the average nightly stay on certain cruises can be less than staying at a Motel 6. The cruise line

If your looking for more sunshine and need some time in the tropics May is the best month to sail south to the Caribbean. Since most cruise lines operate year round keep in mind the discounts from August to October are during hurricane season: If you are dreaming of tropical breezes and pristine beaches in paradise sail over to Hawaii in March, April and May. The prices drop during these months. Some fares are as much as 70% lower than the most popular time to cruise to Hawaii; Fourth of July and Christmas holiday season. The Mediterranean off-peak cruise season is May or November. The opportunity to find an amazing fare to sail the Mediterranean is available. Don't count this trip out until you have done your research. The deals are amazing and difficult to pass up. We went on a cruise treasure hunt a few years ago and found a fare for a 10 day Mediterranean cruise that was too good to be true so we decided to empty out one of our frequent flier miles accounts and had an amazing vacation.

I have been on a cruise for rest and relaxation and I have been on a cruise that was action packed. Cruising is like being happy, it is up to you.

Most important? What I really want is...

Let me know what deals you have in mind. dstorms88@gmail.com

Tracy Anderson When you think of the word ‘Fitness’ you can’t help but think of Tracy Anderson. Tracy has been known as the go-to-person for fitness for the past 17 years, so if you are looking for the answer to your fitness problems The Tracy Anderson Method is known as the ultimate way to go. She has ten years of research and development on creating balance where there is imbalance in your life. This is one of the core values behind the Tracy Anderson Method. Tracy Anderson to date has produced 170 videos including a pregnancy and post pregnancy series. She has completed over 20+ vitality weeks, and has 5 gym locations worldwide.

Perhaps, you recognize Tracy from the celebrity company she keeps. She can often be seen with her clients, which are some of the top names in Hollywood. Stars like Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Richie,

Courtney Cox, Shakira, Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ashley Greene, J ennifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham,and Bethenny Frankel. She isn’t strictly a trainer to female stars; she was responsible for getting Robert Downey Jr. in shape for his Iron Man role as well.

With all of this success and recognition she was kind enough to spend some time with San Diego Woman Magazine and share some of her fitness secrets to help our readers get in shape for the hot weather.

I first encountered Tracy in an unusual place, behind the seat of a brand new Buick. Tracy and Buick recently announced their partnership to celebrate the new Buick Cascada, a thoughtfully-designed luxury convertible, perfect for top-down weather. Together Tracy and Buick have produced an exclusive video guide with tips on achieving a summer state of mind behind the wheel of a Buick. Creator of the wildly successful Tracy Anderson Method workout, Anderson has shared her wellness tips for Buick, inspired by the sleek and athletic look of the Cascada convertible, which will cover five key areas of summer – Skin, Songs, Sweat, Style and Snacks.

You can view their collaborative Video at: 02-09-16-2 JH_JDR_color_FINAL_youtube_1080.mp4 When I sat down with Tracy one on one, the first question I had to ask was if she could provide some tips for getting in shape for summer. She graciously shared her wisdom for our readers. “The first really important fact that you need to keep in mind is that you must be realistic with how much time it takes to get your body in shape. Consider that you take five minutes every day to brush your teeth, and your teeth are really small compared to the rest of your body. Consider this when you decide how much time to

By Judith A. Habert Photos courtesy of Tracy Anderson

give to your body. You need to dedicate at least 30 minutes a day in exercise to your body. This isn’t just for weight control or weight loss.

Studies show that exercising every day helps to make us age well and fight low level inflammation. Every day you don’t work out, you are gaining weight or staying the same. Do some type of exercise that is realistic for your fitness level. You don’t have to go buy expensive gym equipment.

With our ability to connect to the Internet with experts such as me, you can get workouts in the privacy of your home without needing expensive equipment or even gym memberships. “ Tracy’s current TA video streaming is available even for beginners. Every week the video is different and is brought to you as if you were actually in her studio taking live instructions from this Fitness pro.

For just 30 minutes a day you can change your body and your life.

The second bit of inspiration Tracy shared was that age is not a deterrent to getting in shape. “I often work with menopausal and post-menopausal women. Exercise is so important at every age, and at every fitness level.

Walking is a good start, but most women don’t realize that they are capable of so much more. It is never too late to start. Real legitimate exercise will help delay aging. I have clients in their 70’s and 80’s and they are doing great. They have changed their lives and their health through exercise.”

The third insight involved balance. As Tracy shared, “Even stars, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, who never had a weight problem (and who looks better as every year passes) realized that after life events like the birth of her second child, found that she experienced changes to her body. She was out of balance. It was my job to help her get the balance back. So with each client the need is different. No two clients are the same in their needs or in where they may be out of balance. There are also those who may be in balance, in that case my job is to keep them in balance.”

I asked Tracy if she could offer one diet tip for helping to get our body’s summer ready and she quickly offered “Cut out Gluten,” so off to the supermarket I go to the gluten free aisle to take advice from the pro.

There was one other question I had to ask while I had the opportunity.

Every woman who has ever given birth has seen how quickly celebrities appear to bounce back after delivery, and yet most of us normal women seem to struggle with those extra pounds. Tracy explained, “Celebrities have the press around them taking photos all the time and we never know the exact sequence of those photos. They sometimes get the timeframes wrong. More important though is for most women to consider their personal situations. If you are a single working mom and you don’t even have 20 minutes that you can responsibly take for yourself to work on getting back into shape, you cannot expect to get back in shape as quickly as someone in Hollywood who may have a day nanny and a night nanny and a personal trainer and a chef coming to them. You can’t compare yourself to them and feel bad that you haven’t bounced back to your pre baby weight. The worst thing women can do is look at celebrities and decide to do what they are doing or drink what they are drinking or think they are not as good as them because they are not doing as well. You can’t normalize it. It’s not real life, and it’s cruel for women to be that tough on themselves. Especially when you are bringing a new life into this world. That is why I created my pregnancy, and post pregnancy workout DVD. These help women throughout the pregnancy, month by month, and then after pregnancy. So they can get back into shape responsibly and in their homes. This is especially important for the working mom, who doesn’t want to leave her baby any more than necessary. She can get into shape in the privacy of her own home with her newborn nearby.”

Speaking with Tracy was a great experience and I do believe that there is an element that makes her truly understand the battle most women have

with weight and exercise. With a mother who was a professional Dancer and Instructor, Tracy’s dream was to follow in her Mom’s footsteps, she even received a dance scholarship to attend college. Unfortunately, Tracy gained 35 pounds in her first year, and found her dream fall away. She was determined to find a solution and in doing so her career took a very different path. It is because of this misfortune that we have this wonderful resource who has helped countless women and men become healthy again. Her 170 videos are the favorite among fitness enthusiasts and currently TA Live Streaming is being accessed in over 50 countries worldwide.

Visit Tracy Anderson’s site at www.tracyanderson.com and join her on Facebook at Tracy Anderson Method @TracyAndersonMethod.

Look for the Beautiful Buick Cascada at Buick Dealers Near You or view it online at http://www.buick.com/cascada-luxury-convertible.html

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Writer's Review

In each issue we have a section of the top picks by our editors. We decided to listen to our writers, and share some of their favorite things with our readers.

They sure do know their stuff!

Escondido Restaurant Review Eating out economically with Laura Chavarín

Joe’s Italian Dinner has been around for thirty-one years and is probably the best known Italian Restaurant in Escondido. It is a family owned business known for its homemade dishes. The owner, Joe, is from Italy and makes some of the best sauces that I’ve ever tasted. The restaurant is small and has a warm, very Italian feel with Italian décor everywhere you look and playful Italian music in the background. It is dimly lit and is a nice date night destination or good fun for the whole family. I found myself staring at the walls and ceiling in order to see everything. It almost felt like a mini Italian museum. The staff is always polite and helpful and the owner is usually concocting exquisite sauces in his kitchen.

It opens at 4:30 but doesn’t start to get busy until around 6:00 p.m. Make sure to ask your waitress if you are at the table with the secret drawer…

Instead of splitting a meal, we make our meal more economical by using the coupon in the Get 1 Free coupon magazine that comes in the mail and get $12.95 off of the price when we buy two meals. Join me next issue as I eat economically at Vintana Wine and Dine Restaurant. ~Laura

I always start my meal with wine. I’ve found that the house Chianti is not only reasonably priced but also very tasty (If there is more than one of you enjoying the wine, then I’d recommend either a half or full carafe). They also serve beer if you prefer. The meals are served with either soup or salad and warm French bread. I always order the salad with Italian dressing, which is light and a little too mild for my taste but still good. My husband likes the soup. My favorite house soup is the Pasta Fagioli, if you haven’t had it before it is pasta and bean soup with vegetables. The soup is rich and homemade. My favorite main course is the Eggplant Parmigiana. It is truly delicious and without question, the best that I’ve ever had.

The eggplant is baked to perfection every time and covered with a rich, tomato marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Freshly grilled vegetables are served on the side with penne pasta smothered in more marinara sauce. I usually take about half of my meal home for the next day’s lunch.

My husband likes the Fettuccini Alfredo and, once again, the Alfredo sauce is absolutely delicious. It is creamy, rich, abundant and wonderful! It takes a little while for dinner to come, but remember, each dish is homemade to be served when you get there. Trust me when I tell you that it is worth the wait. The portions are large and I would recommend that you share it but there is a $2.95 split plate fee. If you have room for dessert, the Spumoni is tasty and light.

Unique Accommodations of the future In the aftermath of my divorce, I found myself living on a two acre property wondering how I would make ends meet.

This is the home that I had been living in for twenty four years. With the small ponds and waterfalls, cobblestone walkways and the lush, mature landscape, everyone who visited said this place felt like a tropical paradise, a retreat from the rest of the world, a little like a country oasis.

It consists of the main house with three bedrooms, a granny flat, which was rented out already, and a mobile home where the grounds keeper lives.

I was considering renting out my spare bedroom to a student or more permanent roommate when a friend suggested using Air BNB. I had used another vacation rental site to promote my house in Mexico but it was costly and didn’t always yield results. Upon visiting the very friendly, easy to navigate website, I learned that Air BNB covered homes in over 191 countries and was completely free to the hosts.

The global community (as they call themselves) seemed to be gaining popularity as an alternative to the more generic stays at the typical hotels. From India to New York City, when staying with a host, the guest has the experience of living like a local, much more authentically.

Air BNB also provides the host with up to $1,000,000 of liability insurance.

The website was very informative with a whole section on how to be a good host.

I decided to load up some photographs and see if they generated any interest.

Without knowing what to charge, I consulted the site which analyzed the average rental fee for my area.

I decided to give it a year at that price to see if I would make the same amount as renting it out full time. To my amazement I have rented the rooms out several times and have found the transactions to go smoothly and the experience to be very interesting.

By Dawn Nicoli

My first couple was Matt and Heidi, from London, who also were hosts in their home country. They gave me lots of tips on how to rate higher in the search engines. Scott, from Colorado, was starting a new business in my hometown and ended up renting the room for two months. Another couple from Los Angeles chose to spend their honeymoon here.

After the first year I realized that I could make the same, if not more, income from the occasional guest as I would a full time renter which allows me to keep my guest rooms open for my family and friends when needed and enjoy the experience of sharing my little country oasis with people from all different walks of life. WWW.ACOUNTRYOASIS.COM www.AIRBNB.COM

BeActive The Point Specific Pressure Brace For Fast Effective Back Pain Relief

are again resolved.

I used this cuff for six months approximately two years ago, and now I no longer need it, except every once in a while when I do a bad lift and pull my back out. Then I use it for several days and again, I'm good, until the next knee or back accident.

I highly recommend this cuff for an inexpensive solution. Therefore, to return to an active life use “BeActive” Knee Cuff and you will know delicious relief.

Hip-Hop Hamilton: Not Just For Kids

By Jan Ropes

If six months ago you had told me that I, a retired teacher of "a certain age", would come to appreciate rap music, I would have politely questioned your sanity. Last fall, I first heard the murmurs about Hamilton, Lin Manuel Miranda's Broadway homage to our founding father, featuring songs written in the rap/hip hop genre. While I adore Broadway, my musical tastes tend toward Rodgers and Hammerstein. The thought of a theatrical score filled with rap songs held no interest for me. Is rap even music? I mean, how much skill is required to string together a bunch of atonal rhymes?

My own disinterest aside, the Hamilton buzz grew louder, until one day I found myself clicking the "confirm order" button for the Broadway cast album. Upon my first listen, I found the music interesting and accessible. By day three, I was dancing around my living room to the infectious beat. The score is complex and passionate, an eclectic mix of musical genres combining to tell the historical account of a Revolution-era immigrant who, just like his country, was "young, scrappy, and hungry." Much to my astonishment, I loved this soundtrack. Especially the rap! The rhythms are compelling, with meticulous meter and rhymes so clever they could turn a Seuss or a Shakespeare green with envy.

This was no mishmash from an unskilled wannabe poet. This was a work of genius.

In recent months, Hamilton has received accolades unprecedented in the Broadway community, including a record sixteen Tony nominations and the Pulitzer Prize. It has been credited with reigniting interest in both American History and musical theater among those of a younger demographic. While the full impact of the show is still being measured, the power of its score to open the ears--and the mind--of a skeptical teacher of "a certain age", is revolutionary indeed. For that alone, it deserves an A+.

San Diego

Woman

In my job, at a local casino resort with 1,350 guest rooms, I handle unit one technical room calls, which means I am called to many rooms during an eight hour evening shift. My job deals with any guest need outside of housekeeping. This generally means that I am called for such problems as door opening for spouses who have locked out their partners saying “If you continue to gamble away all of our money, you are not sleeping with me”. The hotel policy is that we must respond within five minutes to such requests. So, where ever you are when this call comes in you must fast pace it to the room in need, and access the door for the waiting guest.

Typically, in one night, I have hoofed it as much as ten times. At my age you get very tired after that many calls five days a week. I have been doing this for the past six years. My poor back aches and my legs are very tired, so...... after repeatedly seeing advertisements for “the miraculous BeActive Knee Cuff for only $19.95, (but if you act now you can receive two for this very same price) I reacted.

I did not wish to send in my credit card number by telephone, so I took the next best route, I visited Walgreens, “AS SEEN ON TV” section; there is also one at Walmart, but both are the same in price, $14.99 and it is only for one cuff, but that is enough.

The small of my back and my right knee are really aching by about 3:00 am in the morning.

I immediately put the cuff over the right knee cap making certain you get the right side adjusted just below and behind the knee, then carefully fasten the Velcro strap, you will feel the round quarter sized cushion over the sciatic nerve. Upon walking a few paces, carefully adjust it either up or down till you feel the pressure and can walk well. In just a few steps your knee ceases to ache, and your back pain is gone. This little patented cuff with a few twists and adjustments of the Velcro strap, under the trouser leg, will continue to relieve both knee and back for up to 8 hours. Then, removed it for the day and install again when you begin your next eight-hour shift. If your left knee is hurting and your back still aches, adjust accordingly as you did before, but on the left knee...and Voila. Your left knee and back pain

By Gerald M. Neff

15

Cruising To Ensenada

By Laura Chavarin

Recently I tried to get my family to commit to a vacation in Puerto Rico to celebrate my daughter’s college graduation.

They declined because they did not want to leave our dog, Sophi, for an entire week. (Yes, my kids are crazy…) They did, however, agree to take a three-day cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. We have been to Mexico many times, and we love it, however, I don’t recommend that you drive through Tijuana.

Tijuana, or T.J., is really what’s crazy. So taking a ship down past the border is the best way to get to Mexico - short of flying. The two places that I have found discount cruise tickets are Vacations to Go and Cruises Only.

We met our ship up in Long Beach at the Carnival Cruise Terminal. It was not difficult to find, and parking was only $9 per day. Boarding starts at 1:00 p.m. and I recommend that you aim to board as early as possible just to allow time for unforeseen events; traffic, parking, ticketing mishaps, etc. The ship left promptly at 5:00 p.m., as scheduled. We were a party of six so we got three cabins with two people assigned to each room. If you have small children, then up to four people are allowed in a cabin, but I will warn you that the cabins are small. Our cabins were nice and clean and the staff was very accommodating. They are friendly and interesting because cruise lines hire their staff from all over the world. They earn (and deserve) their tip, which is an extra expense that you should figure into the cost of your cruise, along with port charges that are not included in the listed price: A cruise like this runs anywhere from $295 to $1200 per person depending on the type of room you choose and the time of year that you travel.

There are a variety of activities available on the ship which includes sunbathing at the pool or playing on one of the two enormous water slides. There are Bingo games as well as Art Auctions. They have a variety of shows in the evening and a casino. There is a weight room and a spa and on the top deck in the fresh ocean air, a running track and a miniature golf course. There are nightclubs where my kids went dancing and there are kid’s activities available for small children and teens. There is even a library on board. Each ship has different activities and the last time we cruised there was a giant rock wall to climb. Some ships even have movie theaters.

Many people cruise just for the food. What I recommend as far as the food is concerned, be picky. Don’t eat everything you see, but choose your favorites. If there is a line for the food, then it is probably worth the wait. You have nothing but time on your hands, so wait in line. It is way too easy to overeat on a cruise and nobody wants an upset stomach. On that note, I will also warn you that if you get motion sickness, then you may have a problem. Make sure to bring Dramamine and ginger for nausea. If you awake with nausea then you will find company on the upper deck as everyone else with nausea recovers with you. Trust me when I tell you that it does go away. Within a couple of hours, every passenger with morning nausea has cleared out and the party has begun again.

Ensenada is quaint and you can buy a bus ticket to the city from the cruise line or you can hire a taxi, which will be available after you get off of the ship. The taxi is usually cheaper, but make sure that you negotiate your price before you get inside of the taxi. We chose to walk into the city, which was a 15-20 minute walk. We found a sunglass vendor along the way and I was thrilled since I’d managed to break my sunglasses the first day on the ship. Make sure to negotiate with the street vendors. They expect it. If you plan to buy more than one of an item, make sure to ask, “What if I buy two pair…etc.” While I recommend negotiating, I also remind you that Mexico is a third world country and that many Mexican citizens depend on tourism to scratch out a living. Be aware of that and be fair. Remember, nothing is free. On the other hand, some shops are pros at taking advantage of tourists so make sure to ask for the price in dollars before you order any food or drinks at street restaurants. Most vendors speak pretty good English.

We wandered through the fish market and the many souvenir stands. The best buy in Mexico is the silver. The key is to be able to recognize the difference between real silver and fake silver. Any vendor will tell you that it is real. Whether or not they are telling the truth is questionable. I go by color but there is also an imprinted mark on the back of the jewelry that is helpful in distinguishing the difference. In the big stores, pharmacies and restaurants, it is not customary to haggle, only in the streets.

The best part of Mexico is the food. I have eaten off of the taco carts for many, many years. The Carne Asada tacos are the best! The cook grills the meat right in front of you and adds onion, guacamole and salsa to your liking. Don’t forget to add lime juice. The shrimp cocktail is another of my favorites. This consists of big shrimp cooked just enough so that the shrimp is still tender and moist served in a shrimp broth to which you add ketchup and vegetables like chopped onion, tomato, cucumber and cilantro. If you are brave, then you can try the cocktail with “pulpo”(octopus.) If you don’t know how to prepare your cocktail, then do what the locals do. As I always say, “When in Rome…” Ceviche tostadas are another of my favorites but if you aren’t used to chopped fish marinated in lime (not heat cooked), then maybe you should try it on a different visit. On our trip, we stopped at a restaurant that had fish tacos advertised out front for $1 each. They were delicious as was the authentic, Mexican Margarita.

During the many years that I’ve been visiting Mexico and eating street foods, I’ve only been sick once. The best advice that I can give you is to never drink the tap water. I was sick from the water not the food (Google: Moctezuma’s revenge).

Restaurant owners are careful to use good water for cooking.

“La Bufadora” is a popular tourist site in Ensenada. It is a spot on the rocky coast where, due to the formation of the rocks, the ocean waves shoot up hundreds of feet into the sky like a geyser. It takes the better part of the day to go, and there is a fee for the bus. Also, many wineries are popping up in Ensenada and I hear that it is the new hot spot. I have not yet been, but I plan to go soon. Since the ship was only docked in Ensenada for one day, we chose to explore the city by wandering the streets and saving the other events for a different trip. It turns out that our three-day cruise was an excellent family vacation and of course Sophi was happy to have us home early… ¡Adiós amigos!

Poetry Corner Rhetorical Reality What if I told you that there is only heaven.

Would that ease your soul?

What if I told you the only solution is NOT to think.

Could that ease your mind?

What if I told you that it's ok to feel, to be.

Would that ease your heart?

What if I told you that you can create your life as you like everyday anew.

What would you do?

By Pamela M. Waller-Niven

Rhythm i have sung the song of loss and am now allowing my feet to move to its beat finding the rhythm of days and nights once again arms lift up hands slowly move through the air body bending to and fro aware of the emptiness now leaving song turns to prayer lead me to the next dance where I will celebrate light, love and life again

By Deeba Van Overberghe

Women of Distinction

A Groundbreaking Woman of Distinction While putting together our Women of Distinction section, the one problem I came upon was narrowing it down to just a handful of amazing women in a town full of amazing women.

In the years that I have been publishing this magazine I have met, and interviewed a host of wonderful women and it is my pleasure to share their stories with you.

If you don’t realize how instrumental women are in our lives and in some of the inventions that we have come to take for granted, perhaps you have never heard the story of one of the original female entrepreneurs, Bertha Benz Bertha Benz was the wife and business partner of automobile inventor Karl Benz. Two years before her marriage to Karl Benz, she used part of her dowry to invest in his failing iron construction company. Back in the 1800’s an unmarried woman was allowed to invest, but once married she was no longer allowed to do so.

In 1888, Bertha was the first person to drive an automobile over a long distance. What is even more amazing is that she did it all for her husband. Although he had created a groundbreaking invention, he was out of steam. He didn’t know how to get his car sold.

He knew nothing about marketing and feared that his invention would be dead in the water. He was running out of money and ideas.

Without Carl knowing what she had planned to do, Bertha got in her three wheeled automobile with two of her boys in the back seat and she set out to drive 66 miles. This was unheard of and no one, let alone a woman, had ever possessed a vehicle that could drive that far.

When she accomplished this feat and successfully made the round trip without any major incident, in fact along the way she was able to make technical improvements to the vehicle and by the time she returned home she had accomplished even more than she hoped. The novel trip received a great deal of publicity, as she had sought. The drive was a key event in the technical development of the automobile and before very long Carl and Bertha Benz would come to be known as the original designers behind the now famous Mercedes Benz. Way to go Bertha!

San Diego

Bertha Benz

Woman

By Judith A. Habert

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18

Dr. Kristine Reese Therapist and Educator

When you walk through the doors of LotusRain Naturopathic Clinic in San Diego a sudden calmness comes over you. When I arrived for our interview, my day had been a stressful one; making it just in time for our appointment after being stuck in traffic for longer than anticipated. I sat down in the waiting room looked around and calmly began to breath. At first I wasn’t sure why, but in just a matter of moments, I realized that this environment Dr. Kristine Reese created in her Clinic was the reason.

Dr. Reese has fashioned an environment, not only pleasing to the senses, but one loaded with practitioners who have a common goal in making their patients face whatever ails them in a positive manner and with definite intentions.

Dr. Reese’s first job was not in the medical field. She began her professional career as a teacher, who held an education and therapy social work degree.

When she was offered the job of running the first school for youngsters who had been expelled from traditional learning environments for weapons violations, she jumped at the opportunity. Dr. Reese started the first school in Vancouver, Washington. She did a lot of ‘outward bound’ work, reaching those troubled students with unconventional teaching methods, which resulted in a population of youngsters who finally felt like someone cared about them, they were not a throw away population. As a result, there was a very low recidivism rate, below 30%, and Dr. Reese watched many students go on to trade schools and community colleges and not back to the streets.

With the success of this school, she was called upon to set up similar schools throughout the country. It was a rewarding career and one that she looks back on fondly, but she soon felt that it was time for a change in her calling.

She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do next when suddenly it came to her in a dream. Becoming a doctor had never been a path she sought: As a young child with many medical issues, she had always felt that she wanted to stay as far away from doctors and the medical field as possible.

What Dr. Reese soon realized was that becoming a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine was indeed, her calling. In her mind, doing the job correctly required not only the medical side, but the teaching side as well. She never wanted to just tell a patient to take a medication; she wanted to be able to explain to her patients the reason for the medication and how it would be of

Photo by Dawn Nicoli

One of Dr. Reese’s primary desires is to help Cancer patients, especially when they are told there is little to no hope and it is probably best that they get their affairs in order. This is one diagnosis that Dr. Reese will not take lightly. “We often work along with our patients while they are going through chemo and radiation. We help to protect target organs, like the kidneys, liver and heart. We put them on lifestyle changes. We will often provide IV Infusions with high doses of Vitamin C and Artemisia (sweet worm wood) and hydrogen peroxide. We have had some huge success stories. We are getting clear PET scans six months earlier than historically found. We currently have patients who were told to get their affairs in order and have been our patients now for 8, 10 and even 12 years.

The lifestyle change is not easy, but they are alive, they get to see their grandchildren grow up, and, they take month long trips to Italy. It is very rewarding helping to give back one of the most precious commodities to our patients, that of time.”

Dr. Reese, still loves teaching, and does much of that as a Naturopathic Doctor. She teaches at Bastyr University where she educates doctors, women’s groups, elementary schools, high schools, and church groups by sharing the value of Naturopathic Medicine. She has seen (in current years) that many people are fed up with symptom-based treatment. Patients want to know more and Dr. Reese is happy to provide this information to her patients.

Dr. Reese and LotusRain Naturopathic Clinic enjoy celebrating the lives of their patients, and they do so each year at their annual event, their Client Appreciation Open House. All of the Lotus family vendors and community partners attend. There is music and healthy food donated by many local markets and restaurants. The main focus of this event is the Celebration for Cancer Conquerors.

“This is when we acknowledge all of our Cancer survivors publicly. Their families and friends attend and it is a wonderful day of giving thanks.”

The open house this year is Friday 11-1116.

So what is in the future for Dr. Kristine Reese and LotusRain Naturopathic Clinic?

"I am very excited to announce that in September, Dr Reese radio show will begin on Voice of America.

More teaching is in the plan, I currently work with doctors and nurses at Sharp Hospital. One of the most exciting changes that I have experienced is that we are seeing a marriage between Eastern and Western medicine.

The medical profession has matured to a point where most professionals realize that combining the best of both worlds provides the best outcome for our patients. It is exciting to be a part of this enlightenment.”

San Diego

With a full service practice, Dr. Reese has a team of professionals working alongside of her who help to make LotusRain, the one stop Naturopathic clinic regardless of what your needs are. Some of the services provided include; full Primary Care, IV Nutrition, Infrared Sauna, Addiction services, Diet and Nutrition, Hydrotherapy, Hormone Balance, Genetic and SIBO testing. And this is not the complete list.

Along with her great passion to help those with terminal diagnoses, she takes much pride in helping to bring new life into the world. Dr. Reese is a trained midwife but limits her practice currently to fertility work. She employs such things as bio-identical hormones (made from wild yams) to help her patients who are not becoming pregnant due to hormone imbalances. Dr. Reese treats both husband and wife in helping them to conceive and will sometimes provide the husband with supplements which help increase sperm count and will even suggest a change of environment to help increase the chances of success: A prescription for a visit to a hotel is not unheard of as part of her treatment. Dr. Reese has had much success and currently has two patients who gave up on their hopes of getting pregnant after multiple tries in their twenties and thirties, but are now in their late forties and anxiously awaiting the births of their babies.

Woman

benefit to them. Dr. Reese clarified, “More often than not the solution to a patient’s problem involves more than just popping a pill. Most of the time a lifestyle change is necessary and this isn’t always easy. So it is always more likely to be successful if the patient clearly understands why this change has to be made and what the benefits of it will be to their future health and lifespan.”

19

Robin "Nadirah" Bray

Dancing Her Way to Wellness

What do you do when you are 33 years old with three young children ages 8, 6 and 1 ½ years old and you are told you have Stage 4 Cancer? Some of us cry, some of us pray, others give up. For Nadirah Bray it took a little while for the shock to wear off but once it did, she knew the answer, Nadirah was going to dance.

Nadirah had been a belly dance student, teacher and performer since 2004. She taught weekly dance classes and performed 2-10 shows a week. What Nadirah didn’t realize was that her life was filled with all types of stress. “When I look back at my life, before I was ill, I realize that there was a lot of stress in my life that I did not even notice; fight or flight was my default setting. I felt unsupported and unloved. I felt like a failure in every area of my life, as a wife, as a daughter, as a mother and as an entrepreneur. I was a people pleaser who wanted everyone to get along, and it seemed to always backfire on me. I was in the middle and no one was pleased including me!”

Here was a woman, in phenomenal physical condition, with no obvious symptoms, suddenly noticing an uncomfortable bloating feeling in her stomach when her little ones would sit on her lap. Finally, she decided to check this out with her doctor. “I made an appointment with my doctor. She had no idea what was going on so she ordered a cat scan. It was there that they had found out that my appendix was perforated, and they told me that I had to go directly to the emergency room for an emergency appendectomy. The surgery took a little longer than expected - for a routine appendectomy. The Doctor told me to make an appointment in a week or two. The next week the Doctor called and said “How come you have not made your appointment?” And I told him that I felt great and that he had said a week or two so I thought I would come in next week.” He said “Can you come in tomorrow so I can go over the biopsy with you?” And my reply was “Yeah as long as you don’t tell me I have cancer or I am dying.” To which his reply was “I cannot tell you anything over the phone”. I have no idea why I said what I said because I really felt great! And I was joking!”

Nadirah was given the shocking news that her biopsy showed that she had Stage 4 Appendix or appendiceal cancer, an extremely rare form of cancer affecting an estimated 600 to 1,000 Americans each year. “I was in shock hearing the word cancer. I was always told how healthy I was. I did not know anything about cancer. I thought cancer was not a good word and I thought stage 4 did not sound so bad. I asked the doctor, ‘what does it go to 10 or 100? He said no, 4 is the worst. I was in total shock at that time and all I could think about was my boys, and how I needed to get this out of my body so I can go back to living my life.”

With this rare type of cancer comes the rare chance of survival according to Nadirah.

“I believe that the statistics are very grave for sufferers of my type of cancer. These patients are faced with a 90% death rate, except for individuals who have the HIPEC treatment which I had done by Dr. Barone, oncology surgeon and appendix cancer specialist here in San Diego. And I believe that there is an 80 percent success rate of people who have had HIPEC. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) is a surgical technique that is used to treat these types of tumors. In HIPEC, surgeons may first debulk, or partially remove, the tumor prior to treating.Afterwards, the surgeon makes two small incisions and inserts tubes: One to pump the heated chemotherapy solution into the patient’s body and one to circulate the fluid back to the heating equipment.Once the treatment begins, the

temperature in the chest cavity rises to between 105 and 107.6 F (40.6 and 42 C). The chemotherapy solution circulates for several hours to kill the cancer cells. The pump is turned off to allow the treated region to cool to normal temperature.Then the surgeon removes the tubes and temperature probes, closes the incisions, and sends you to recovery.

“Thankfully, the surgery was a success, I was opened from sternum to pubic bone. It was stage 4 cancer so the cancer had spread to different parts in my abdomen I am very grateful that all the areas it spread to could be taken out. Because there was cancer in some lymph nodes they wanted to do IV Chemo for 6 months as a precaution. Two weeks later I went to the hospital to get the port put in: This is a small round disk they put under your skin so they can administer the chemo through it. They usually put it near women’s breast so they can hide it with their shirt. I was already imagining myself performing again, so I asked if there was another place they could put it. With the costumes I wear people could see the port if it was near my breasts. They placed the port just above my elbow on the inside of my arm.

I could use armbands and cover that easily and no one would ever know.” Two weeks after getting out of the hospital Nadirah started Chemo and that same week she went back to dance class.

Just two months later I was back performing while going for chemo every other week. So on the week I was off chemo I performed and I also started attending group dance classes every week it brought a sense of normalcy back to my life. My husband said why don’t you rest and when you are done with chemo go and perform. I did not want to take 6 months off.

I needed to get my life back, so I did.”

Getting through this ordeal was not easy for Nadirah; luckily she had the support of her husband and boys. “It was tough at times. My husband kept saying that I was going to be fine. And I wanted to be fine too, but at the same time, I kept thinking ‘what if I did die?’

I read the 7 stages of grieving before and and I wanted to use it with him the week I got the diagnosis, because if we could acknowledge the worst thing that could happen we could go there and feel it. Then it had no hold on us. If we mourned me not being here and that’s the worst thing that could happen, then the only place to go from there was up! My sons did not do well in school that year. They were scared and uncertain of what was going on and what would happen. I know it was very hard on them because I spent most of my day in my bed although I would make myself watch a movie or go to the park or ride bikes with them as often as possible.”

Getting back to her career was not only important to Nadirah, but critical to her healing.

So she jumped in with both feet and looked over some of the goals she had defined for her career before her illness. “In 2012 I got picked to be a contestant on a web show called “Project Belly Dance.” I was competing with 24 other belly dancers for the chance to win amazing prizes, one of which being the star of your very own instructional DVD. I did not win that competition, but I did share my story and had the opportunity to be the star of my own DVD “Belly dance healing from illness” with the top producer of belly dance DVD’s, Michelle Joyce and her company Cheeky Girls Productions” out of the Bay Area. My DVD is based on holistic exercises that I did to reclaim and rebuild my health during a time in my life when I had experienced multiple surgeries, chemo and limitations. Creating this DVD inspired me to go back to school. I wanted to learn more about holistic health and learn more about the whole body and its healing process. I remember my last day of chemo and the chemo doctor said “Go live your life”. I really felt a lot of anxiety because she did not give me any new tools, and the way I had been living my life before ended in my diagnosis of a life threating illness. I thought, I have exercised and eaten well my whole life. I did not manage my stress or my emotions well though. I thought I need to learn more about the whole body and how the mind/body/emotions and spirit work together to create harmony and optimal health.

Nadirah has recently introduced the "Goddess In Motion" Institute where she teaches and empowers women worldwide to activate their feminine energy through dance/ movement, holistic practices and self-development and leadership exercises. “Through our services we train women to improve their body image, get in touch with their feminine essence (Inner Goddess), raise their self-confidence, develop holistic health practices, increase authentic self-expression and vitality, and release stuck energy that prevents them from fulfillment, passion and success in their professional business and personal lives. We provide classes, workshops and at the moment are looking for women who would like to be a part of our Goddess In Motion Facilitator training program. Our goal is to transform over 1 million women’s lives this year! “ After spending time speaking with this amazing woman I don’t doubt that Nadirah can accomplish anything she sets out to. I asked her how this experience has changed her life?

The answer surprised me. “I would not be the happy, passionate, loving, fulfilled woman I am today if I had not had that experience with cancer. Cancer saved my life! Cancer took me on a journey to self-love! And cancer shared with me the healing benefits of belly dance (sensual movement) first hand, and after I graduated from school with a degree in Holistic Health. I realized that belly dance and movement is a powerful holistic health tool. Belly dance is like Qi Gong, Tai Chi and yoga which promotes healing on all 4 levels: Mental, Physical, Emotional, Spiritual. My passion and purpose now includes sharing those benefits through coaching, trainings and retreats with women around the world. I am also passionate about having belly dance/movement as a part of integrated health in hospitals, rehabs, schools and nursing homes. And that is why I am creating a facilitator program, because I can’t do it alone. I am a cancer survivor who wants to remind you to live a life you love and remember you have unlimited potential!”

To learn more about Nadirah and her programs email her at nadirah.dances@gmail.com

There are two very unique sides to Dr. Leilani Vidal. Most of her patients don’t know it, but she is leading a double life: She is currently celebrating her 25th year as a Doctor of Chiropractic and Clinic Director of The Better Health and Wellness Center by day, but at night she is a sought after Musician, which is a somewhat newer endeavor.

Dr. Vidal is a local San Diegan, born and raised in Poway where she attended Poway High School and then the Southern California School of Chiropractic in Los Angeles. Dr. Vidal graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic and a bachelor’s in human biology. After completing her studies Dr. Vidal moved back to San Diego and opened her practice in Rancho Penasquitos - where she stayed for three years. Then it was time to come back home to Poway, so she opened her Better Health &

San Diego

Wellness Center on Poway Road and has been there ever since. “The original Chiropractic Office that I opened has now changed and grown to a full scale wellness center with a staff of healthcare specialists including, two acupuncturists, two functional diagnostic nutritionists, two massage therapists and of course Chiropractic services. I am the clinic director so I oversee the other professionals so they can all do the best job possible.”

With this full service center, Dr. Vidal is able to not only treat symptoms, but they are able to get to the bottom of a series of health issues. “When I first started practicing I thought it was all about chiropractic and then I realized in the real world there were so many modalities that helped people; functional, massage, acupuncture, weight loss, esthetics, beauty treatments. I learned that often hormonal issues or gut issues could be the cause of skin issues. So the whole person needed to be treated. People have become tired of being told to just take a pill for what ails them. People want to be educated as to what they are taking and why. Drugs are of course necessary in some places, we just would like to see them not be the first choice.”

Dr. Vidal is always adding new programs to help her patients, her latest one is a doctor supervised weight loss program. This program is showing weight losses on average of 15 lbs. in 6 weeks for women and 20lbs for men. “In addition, we do a lot of education workshops on natural ways to lose weight and how weight loss is affected by sleep.

We represent the Foundation for Wellness Professionals. This organization includes doctors and other wellness professionals that go out and speak for free, educating the public about some simple things, for instance, how bad soda is for you and other small bits of information that can make a big change in people’s lives. Being part of a change in someone’s life is so rewarding.”

There is another part of Dr. Vidal’s life, which is totally separate from her medical side. “I often say that I have my day job to support my musical habit.” Hardly a habit, she is part of a very successful quartet of saxophone playing women, named the Saxations, who have been headlining all over San Diego. A musician since childhood, Dr. Vidal, played in her family band, the Vidal Family Band, along with her two sisters Kim and Carmela. Three years ago she realized how much she missed having music in her life. So she formed the Saxations, and to sharpen her skills even more is taking music classes at Grossmont College. Dr. Vidal plays Saxophone, flute, piano and guitar. They are currently working on a big Motown review. In addition to playing with the Saxations, Dr. Vidal also plays in a duo, “Me and Mr. Jones” along with La Don Jones a fabulous vocalist who when teamed with the sultry sounds of her saxophone present a great show at local venues such as Vintana’s and Capri Blue.

I asked Dr. Vidal if her sisters or parents ever join her on stage? “I’ve asked my sisters, but they have busy lives and don’t share the passion for playing music that I do. My dad will come to hear me perform, but I get really nervous when he is in the audience, because he is the main musician in the family, so I always wonder if he enjoys my performance.”

Dr. Vidal’s love of music is shared with her children; they have a band of their own called “Juvy Jazz” which consists of kids from Poway High and Mount Carmel High School. “The kids are great musicians; they play all over town and are really into jazz.”

Dr. Vidal has added teaching to the list of things that fill her days. She currently is an Adjunct Professor at National University. She teaches bachelor’s and master’s programs in health administration. “I have a good time teaching the students. I try to make the learning interesting.

I don’t just teach out of a text book, I integrate experiences I have had in my practice.”

I asked Dr. Vidal to share a tip for our readers: “Always consider some other method for fixing medical problems that you are experiencing, besides taking medication. There are natural cures for a lot of illnesses. Problems like depression or hyperactivity in children can often be treated once you find out what the real cause of the problem may be. If your child is diagnosed as being hyperactive he or she could be suffering with a candida overgrowth in the gut, or an allergy for example. These issues can be resolved without administering medication.”

For all she does, Dr. Vidal manages to juggle them with excitement and true expertise. If you are looking for a Doctor and a fabulous musical experience, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Vidal today.

Contact Dr. Leilani Vidal at: Better Health & Wellness Center (858) 679-5544 12455 Poway RdSte GPoway, CA 92064

Woman

Dr. Leilani Vidal

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Donna Steward

San Diego

Sometimes the simplest of things can transform a person’s life. For Donna Steward it was a senior trip in high school to the Federal Reserve Bank in Los Angeles that was to be the impetus for a career that would span almost 5 decades. At the end of this trip a simple offer was made to the class, an opportunity to fill out an employment application.The only position she could be hired for at the time was that of messenger, since she was not yet 18.It was an exciting time for Donna, as a messenger, she was granted access to all areas of the Reserve, parts that most people never get to see.

When Donna turned 18 she could be bonded, and that meant she would gain the ability to work on the IBM machines.

Donna stayed there until she married and had her first child, sadly her baby did not survive and she and her husband decided it was time for a change, so they picked up and moved to Florida. With her experience in banking she found it easy to obtain another job in her field and soon started working at the First National Bank of Cape Canaveral. It was there that she lived through the tense time of the Cuban missile Crisis. When she realized that her marriage was not going to survive, she and her children moved back to Hawthorne. It was back home in Hawthorne where she met the love of her life and they were soon married. “He was an amazing man, he never had children of his own, I had two children and he raised them as his own. He was a wonderful father.”

Unfortunately, misfortune would again visit Donna. In 1989 her husband received a very disturbing medical diagnosis. “He had just turned 50 and we found out that he had to have a heart and lung transplant. At that time, they would only give him one organ due to his age. So they told him be prepared, that he could be gone in a year. It was a year and one day later on June 4th that I lost my husband.” The loss of her first child, a divorce, and then the loss of her true love seemed almost too much to bear, but less than one year later Donna would suffer yet another major loss, a loss that is said to be one of the toughest a woman ever has to endure. Donna tells me, welling up with tears, even this many years later, “Just a little over a year later, on June 11th , my son was killed in a motorcycle accident.”

When life knocks us down several times, we can either give up or we move on and use the strength that we find deep inside. With two children, she knew she had to be strong and keep going, so she did. “ I had to pull myself together because I still had a home and kids I had to take care of, but I knew that I needed a change. I didn’t have to change, but I needed

to have something different. I switched jobs and earned a position as a bank manager.” Donna enjoyed her new position and with so many years working in banking she was a pro at it, but times were getting tough and businesses were cutting back. Since she was in a small bank, they decided that they really didn’t need a manager, and instead asked if she would take a position in sales. “I was dumbfounded at first, I told them I was not a salesperson and they quickly corrected me and said, everything you do every day is sales, and you are wonderful at it. I went home that night and cried, but I saw the handwriting on the wall and with two kids to care for I knew that I had no option, but to accept this new position.”

Donna realized how right they were, after a year in that position she was making more money than she ever had as a manager. Donna had built up such a great clientele, primarily due to her ability to solve problems and handle her position less like a corporation and more like a human being with a heart and understanding of the needs of her customers.

Her position at the bank was a great one for her until she realized that the bank was going to take away customers from her and she suddenly would be making less and less money. Perhaps, it was time for Donna to make one more change. It was at that point that Donna realized that she could go out on her own and make more money than she was making working for someone else. “I called my good friend Artha and I told her that I had to do something to make money. I knew I could make loans, I knew I could sell bank paper, few people knew about bank paper and I soon found I could make $25 per transaction to do this on my own. Then I found out I had to be licensed to do this. At about the same time an old bank client of mine called and told me he had just sold his business for 10 million dollars and asked for my help. I told him I wasn’t licensed. He told me, well get licensed. So I once again called Artha, who was a licensed Real Estate Agent, and moved forward toward my solo career. I have been an entrepreneur ever since.”

With all of the great relationships Donna built over the years she started receiving calls from her former bank customers seeking her help. People remember you when you put them first and do what you can to help them through hard times. Donna recalls one client who came to her for a second mortgage on his house. “I had one man come in to me and he was so pale white and sickly looking. He had to have a kidney transplant, and no one would loan him money on his house for the medical procedure because they gave him less than a year to live. Back then his collateral was income, and so they feared he wouldn’t be here to pay it back. So I told him, 'well we won’t tell anybody.' So we made him a second mortgage on the home for the surgery, which was 8 thousand dollars back then. Four years later he came back in the bank sat down at my desk and I had no idea who he was. He had dark hair and was healthy looking. When he told me who he was I said…You made it. I always wondered, the loan never went bad, I checked that. So this little bit of faith and kindness changed this man’s life, actually gave him life. Its things like that, helping people that is passed on to the next person and the next and they remember it and it eventually comes back to you. I never realized the cycle existed, but I watched it happen as more and more of my ex-banking clients came to me for their banking needs.”

Donna has been in her own business since 1995 and each year she has seen the business grow. She currently does loans, property management, healthcare insurance, reverse mortgages, probate work and more. When asked her favorite part of her business she admits that she likes being faced with a challenge. She will often receive calls from attorneys who are faced with probate challenges and they look to Donna to work her magic and come up with a solution. Somehow, the knowledge she has manifested after all of these years and all of the many experiences she has had, always allow her to come up with the perfect solution to even the most complex problems.

Not only is Donna busy with her business, but she always finds time to lend a hand to charitable endeavors. She served as the first president of Oceanside Civitan club in 1983, an organization that works to help the handicapped and the homeless, and still does whatever she can to help local charities. As Donna adds, “I will be 75 next year. I figure that I will work until I’m 84 or 85 then I will stop. Why would I want to stop before I have to, I enjoy what I do.”

LIFE IS GREAT IN REAL ESTATE To Contact Donna Steward Phone her at 760-598-9889 or email her at dm-steward@sbcglobal.net

Woman

Photo by Dawn Nicoli

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Artha Zahniser

Photo by Dawn Nicoli

24 For most of us we learned about rationing at the beginning of World War II from our history books, but I had the pleasure of sitting down and getting to know the most wonderful woman who actually lived through these tough years. Artha Zahniser grew up in Oklahoma during this difficult time. Her mom and dad were resourceful and used their ½ acre of land to grow most of the food that fed their family. Artha adds, “I think growing up at this time in our country really shaped who I became.”

After school she got a job with the Air National Guard as a Clerk Typist.

“It was a good job and it paid better than most jobs at the time. I worked at the Ontario Airport for the Air National Guard. I worked in a hangar and I was the only woman there, so I got treated very well. I got treated like a Queen.” I smiled as she told me the story and couldn’t help but ask her if that is where she met her special someone? “Yes,” she admitted, “I fell for one of the pilots. We married and moved to Oceanside. It was a small town then, with only about 15,000 people living there.”

When her husband got out of the air force they bought the company that was running the Oceanside airport. “He was doing charter work, we had a partner who did instructing, and I did the office work taking care of the books. We were there for just a few years then we opened another fixed base operation at Palomar airport.”

Artha’s husband loved to fly and he would often take Artha up in the planes with him. “I thought about learning to fly, and I even started taking lessons, but unfortunately found out that I had vertigo.” So although Artha was grounded, she kept herself very busy as a salesperson and customer service rep that spent much of her day talking to customers.

In 1972 Artha and her husband sold their business, but Artha was asked to stay on as a bookkeeper. She did so for about a month and then realized that she hated her new position, which required her to sit looking at a wall doing the books, having little interaction with the public.

It was at this point that she realized how much she loved dealing with people.

“I had been thinking about it for a long time, but this new position really brought home the point that I needed a career change, particularly one

which would allow me to be around people. I decided that I wanted to get my real estate license, so I invited my husband to meet me for lunch at the airport and I told him I was quitting my job. At first he was a bit surprised, but he too realized that I was unhappy in my current job and was supportive of my new endeavor.

Artha started her successful Real Estate career in 1973 and worked in the same field for close to 40 years. Unfortunately, her marriage ended in 1978 along with some of the dreams she had for her future, but it was her career that kept her going through it all. Up until a few years ago Real Estate was her life. About 5 years back she decided to take on a new career. This new career was born our of an obvious need that Artha personally experienced. She decided to go into the field of insurance and specialize in Insurance for seniors.

I asked her what it was about this field that drew her to this new career path. She explained that when she turned 65 she felt it was extremely complex trying to navigate her way through the Medicare system and understanding the many options from which she had to choose. So she decided this was an area that she could truly help other seniors through.

Artha explained. “I had a recent experience with a client that truly explains why I like working with seniors in this capacity so much. I am in a position to listen to them, answer their questions about Medicare, and help them find a health policy that truly helps them. I recently guided a senior to leave a policy that was not helping her medical situation, and introduced her to a policy and company that was better suited to her needs. I cannot elaborate on exactly what her situation was, but her medical condition was worsening, and she could not get the help she needed. This accomplishment is exactly what makes my commitment worthwhile.” I asked Artha what some of her biggest challenges were in life. It wasn’t those early years living through the rations of wartime; it was after her marriage ended. “I thought I would be married and have my 50th wedding anniversary, but I missed all of that. My husband changed and I had to let him go. It took me years to get over it. He passed away 17 years ago and it’s been within the last 5 years that I finished the mourning. I dated and did all I could do to meet people and have fun. I met some wonderful people, but still had a place in my heart for him.” This outgoing beautiful lady shared one of the toughest times she had and still remembers it like it was yesterday. “Going out places by themselves was a terrifying experience for me. The first time I was faced with this was, at a Real Estate event in Sacramento, that I went to right after my divorce. Somehow I got separated from the group that I was with, and I didn’t really know the town, so I called down to the restaurant in the hotel and made a reservation for one. I was nervous about it, not knowing if I could go down and eat by myself. I didn’t want to look or act weird. The Maître d acted like they did this all the time. So I told him, since I am by myself if a man or woman come in to eat and they are also alone it would be fine with me if they want to join me before the meal. I knew that there were a lot of realtors in town, so sure enough the waiter came over and said there is a gentleman here who is by himself, would it be okay if I had him come over? The waiter introduced us; he was a contractor bidding on a local job. Since we had some things in common that we could discuss, we had a lovely dinner together. When we were done I asked for my check the waiter said it was taken care of already, the man who sat across from me had paid for my check.” I had to admit this was not a bad strategy to use when traveling on business and forced to eat alone.

Despite her busy schedule, Artha still plans every day thinking of ways she can help others. She has been involved in many charities helping the homeless, fixing up a local park that provides a daycare center for mentally and physically handicapped children, working with the local chamber, working with the humane society, and working for the Wounded Warriors.

After spending time with Artha, it is hard to believe that she actually was that little girl living through the early days of World War II. She is so full of life and laughter that I actually was surprised to hear her say; “I’ve cut back on my work load a bit now that I am 82.” All I could think was I only hope I am so full of life, love and energy when I’m in my 80s.

For More Information Contact: Artha Zahniser Bridlewood Insurance Services, Inc. 760 805 8211 Artha@bridlewoodinsurance.com

Photo by Dawn Nicoli Dr. Shasho and her little girl, Eden, worked closely with the construction crew, being on site every day making sure the final office was exactly what she hoped it would be. In early 2010, Dr. Shira Shasho opened Edent, naming the practice after her daughter, who at the age of 8 still proudly tells everyone that she has a dental practice named after her.

Wanting a larger family, and a sibling for her young daughter, Dr. Shasho took some time from her practice and four years after Eden’s birth, she welcomed her second daughter, Danielle. Although dentistry is a passion, her girls are always number one in her heart, so she manages to spend as much time as possible with them, never missing school functions or leaving their care up to others. She realizes that this is an important time in their lives, and she cannot gain this time back once it has past.

I asked Dr. Shasho what made her choose Dentistry, and what it is that she truly loves about her profession., “What I enjoy most in dentistry is being able to totally change the misconceptions that many people have about our field. There are so many individuals who are fearful or distrustful of dentists. This is why my patients are included in every step of their care, and the reason I spend so much time with each patient. It is so gratifying for me to see the transformation in them when they leave my office, no longer afraid to schedule a dental appointment, but instead looking forward to their next visit.”

Dr. Shasho also liked the fact that dentistry is such a detail oriented profession, but one of the most important benefits of being a Dentist is that it gives her the ability to be her own boss. This fact alone is extremely important, since it allows her the valuable time to spend with her girls.

Dr. Shasho is a unique type of Dentist, and one that you don’t come across every day. She only treats one patient at a time and very rarely bounces from chair to chair. She dedicates her time to each individual who enters her office; making certain to schedule enough time between patients, so as not to keep them waiting. “I see myself more as a doctor, dedicated to bettering my patient’s life, than as a business woman and this is the way I choose to run my practice.“ This fact is evidenced when you see how close Dr. Shasho is with her patients. Many of them call her by her first name, and are even given her cell phone number, so they can call or text her should they need to reach her in an emergency. It is not unusual for a patient to drop in, even when they don’t have an appointment just to bring her flowers or vegetables from their garden. The closeness she has with her patients is very unique. Many of them will share their children’s wedding photos, lament over problems, or share accomplishments in their lives with their favorite dentist. It is evident that anyone who meets Dr. Shasho, thinks of her as more than their dentist, but instead as a good friend or family.

Dr. Shasho refers to them as ‘Her little dental family.’

Dr. Shasho leaves an indelible mark on all who meet her, she has patients who will drive significant distances to utilize her dental services. One of her current patients originally came all the way from Los Angeles to interview her for Invisalign. Dr. Shasho was the fourth dentist that she met. After her perspective patient was wowed by her evident dental expertise, they then spent some time getting to know each other. Less than an hour later Dr. Shasho received a call from this woman, and was informed that she needed to look no further, she had made her decision. She was willing to drive from Los Angeles to Pacific Beach to have Dr. Shasho as her dentist. Dr. Shasho has several other patients who feel the same and drive similar distances to use her dental services.

When you think about Dr. Shasho, you realize that she definitely started with the odds against her. She started a dental practice from scratch, in a new state, in a new country, in recessionary times, not even knowing very much of the language when she got here.

But one thing is certain, Dr Shasho is a very determined woman and when she wants something, she is not afraid to work hard to achieve it. Dr. Shasho adds, “I am not afraid to work hard for what I want. I am more afraid of not going after it and missing out on the opportunity to do so.” Dr. Shasho started with nothing except a dream, and she has made a life for herself and her two beautiful daughters.

Dr. Shasho values each and every one of her patients, and is especially kind to those who come to her with a fear of dental care. Many prospective patients will come to her office with previous bad experiences or just so frightened that they want to be sedated.

Dr. Shasho has such a calming manner and takes time to allay their fears. She talks them through the procedure, every step of the way and takes as much time as they need to feel comfortable, and relaxed and before very long their fear has dissipated.

It is apparent how much Dr. Shasho’s patients love her and view her not only as a fantastic dentist, but as a friend or perhaps even family. After they use her dental services, they are quick to spread the word among friends and family about how wonderful she is. Dr. Shasho has built her practice purely on referrals from existing patients who truly love this very special lady. She truly believes the motto of her practice, and she does everything she can to make sure her patients will “KEEP ON SMILING”

San Diego

Woman

Dr. Shira Shasho

When Dr. Shira Shasho was 20 years old she left her homeland of Israel to visit her father, who lived in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She planned on spending a short vacation with him before returning home to start college. Once she was here those plans quickly changed. Dr. Shasho fell in love with this country and decided to stay. She worked for a year and saved money so she could begin her college career in the States. Her first semester at Coastal Carolina University was an exciting time for Dr. Shasho. She was faced with many challenges, the biggest one was that she didn’t speak much English, but this would not deter her from her dreams of getting a college education in a country that she had come to love. Dr. Shasho would tape record her sessions, and spend several hours transcribing them until she understood every word, and mastered every concept.

She managed to accomplish what few English speaking students do, she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.

Dr. Shasho soon decided that she had a passion for Dentistry, she added pre-dental courses to her schedule, and applied to dental school. Her next move was to Florida to begin her dental training at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Shasho applied her determination to dental studies, as she had to every other task, and graduated with honors.

After graduation, Dr. Shasho decided to move with her young daughter to San Diego to begin her dental practice. After taking a two-year extended maternity leave, she decided to take her destiny into her own hands and open her own dental practice.

I asked Dr Shasho how she came up with the bold decision to open her own private practice, with no business experience, in a new place, far away from her family and friends, with no financial or social safety nets, and as a single mother. Her reply was, " As I see it, I didn’t have much choice. it was 2008, the recession was felt, I couldn’t find an associate position, and if I could, being a single mother requires a lot of schedule flexibility that I wouldn’t have had as a new associate. I was raised by the strongest woman I’ve ever known, whom, from a very young age, instilled in me the notion that anything is possible if you are willing to go after it and get it. She gave me the courage and strength to persevere the challenges and obstacles of life. So I took the leap of faith and decided to just do it.

Just like Sinatra sang, ‘yes, there were times I knew I bit off more than I could chew, but through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all and I stood tall and most importantly, I did it my way.”

Dr. Shira Shasho www.EDENTsmiles.com Pacific Beach Office: 1038 Grand Ave San Diego, CA 92109 858-412-5155

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Shelley Lee Boyce

Shelley Lee Boyce came from the upper Midwest. To escape the frigid cold winters and to expand her world view, she landed in San Francisco, a place she had visited many times.

Things were going well for Shelley, since she had landed a good job in her new hometown.

When her boyfriend at the time was offered a new position in San Diego, he proposed.

Shelley said yes.

In San Diego, jobs were not as plentiful, and to do similar work, she would have to add a commute and take a pay cut. This is what led her to explore more options which culminated in finding her direction in the financial planning industry.

Almost 30 years later Shelley is still part of this industry that she admittedly loves. Shelley Lee Boyce is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and her firm, Financial Planning Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisory firm.

“The engagement to my boyfriend didn’t stick, but the career did. I can’t imagine being in any other field.”

You can tell by the way Shelley lights up when she speaks about her profession, that she truly made a great choice. Being a beautiful woman in a field that is primarily inhabited by men, hasn’t been an obstacle to Shelley. She has always managed to compensate by working harder, continually learning and ultimately out-earning many of her male counterparts.

After spending some time with Shelley, it is easy to see why she has maintained many of her original clients. She takes her job very seriously and views her clients as family. “I am often called from a car dealership to render an opinion, or sent offer letters to review when a client is changing jobs. As part of a comprehensive full plan, I help with reallocation of client’s 401k plans, often review options for home financing or refinancing, or even decisions as to whether they should take an extended vacation. They know I will be open and honest, and let them know if it is financially a good move for them in light of other goals they have set. Sometimes I have to tell them something they don’t really want to hear, but once I explain that there may be a better way to get to where they want to be, they are thankful that they essentially have a financial ‘quarterback’.”

Communication is key for Shelley, especially when the economic news is not positive. “I make sure to keep in contact with my clients so they feel more secure in knowing I am on top of things and looking out for their best interests.”

During financial downturns people sometimes panic and rush to make rash decisions.

Being available to her clients, Shelley helps them understand what they are facing. “When it comes to property ownership, people have at times, lamented that their house is worth significantly less money than it was when they purchased it. I have to remind them that unless you plan to sell your house at this time, you haven’t lost anything. The same is true of your portfolio. It may be temporarily down, but as long as you don’t panic and sell stocks off at this exact moment, you haven’t lost anything. People need to remember that when you actually transact, that’s the number you are settling for.”

I asked Shelley when one would know that they need a financial planner. “As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional I see all types of people with all types of financial situations. Shelley has purposely never set an asset minimum to meet with someone. Many planners and brokers won’t even meet with someone for analysis and problem solving

unless they meet that firm’s minimum account threshold. “It’s not about only seeing individuals with large estates, it is about true problem solving and creating a roadmap for a client’s financial future. All new prospective clients are provided a welcome packet that contains a series of forms I have them fill out and bring in to our first meeting. It allows them to take the time to list all of their assets and expenses and gain a better financial picture before we meet. For many clients, this alone is eye opening. Plus, it makes the initial consultation more productive for everyone involved. We will then spend time talking about their current situation, retirement goals and many other relevant areas of their lives in order to determine feasibility of their goals. Factoring in their debt load and current retirement savings and obligations, I can then see if they can retire when they want to and maintain their lifestyle.” For many of Shelley’s new clients, this is the first time they have really faced the reality of their finances. They realize that this process has a lot of moving parts and is far more complex than on-line retirement calculators might have them believe.

“When I sit down with a new couple or single client, I don’t only talk about where they are, but we discuss where they hope to be. No two clients are ever the same, so there is no boiler plate financial plan. Even if things seem similar, there are many caveats that can materially change a plan. Perhaps, one client has a disabled child or a sibling who needs their assistance. One simple fact can change the entire method for mapping out their financial plan.”

Another thing that makes Shelley light up is the mention of her two beautiful children.

Their portraits are proudly displayed in her office. “One of the greatest things about this profession that I chose, is that it gave me the flexibility that every mother wants: My days were created by me, and a flexible schedule meant that I didn’t have to miss out on important events in my children’s life. Now my son is 20 and has finished his sophomore year in college. My daughter is 17 and will be a senior at La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad.

I was always a present and involved mother and wouldn’t trade that for anything” I asked Shelley if she could provide some financial hints to our readers and she shared some important thoughts.

• “Women today should try to not leave the workforce entirely, if they have a profession to which they plan to return. Even if you only work one or two days a week or serve as a volunteer. Unfortunately, technology changes so quickly, so if you are out of your field for seven or eight years and then return, it will be like starting all over. Another reason to stay is that missing key early years of contributions and matching to their qualified plans can make a big change down the road.”

• “Another suggestion is for each member of a couple to have some money just for themselves. Maintaining a bit of independence can create a more harmonious financial life.

I have seen that money can be a very contentious issue in any relationship. Often having a third party advisor can mitigate a lot of issues. Also, for couples, both people should be aware of what is going on in their financial life. Both partners need to be fully involved. Life is uncertain!

• A pivotal piece of advice is: “Don’t spend more than you earn. Be sure to build an emergency reserve and have savings to fall back on. Debt can sneak up on you!”

• “Most people do not win the lottery or get great inheritance checks. Most wealth is built over time with conscious saving and investing. Hope is not a strategy: Bills are never really paid…most are always accruing, like the utility bill. One has to decide to save regularly.”

• “At big life transitions take your time and don’t do anything hasty. Deal with a professional.

I have found through my experience that newly divorced people, widows and widowers are vulnerable and can easily be taken of advantage of. If you have elderly parents look out for them.”

My final question to Shelley was how do you select the right Financial Planner? Shelley admits, “It’s not an easy task. I tell people to go and interview 3 or 4 planners before making a decision. Get referrals from people you trust and respect. You have to trust your planner.

The first thing you give up when working with a comprehensive financial planner is information, and lots of it. You need to be willing to share. Feeling well taken care of and having a good rapport in this endeavor is paramount for a successful and prosperous retirement.”

Securities offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services and advisory services offered by Financial Planning Solutions, Inc. are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth.

To Learn more or to set up a Free Consultation contact: Shelley Lee Boyce, CFP®, AIF® Financial Planning Solutions, Inc. 2784 Gateway Road, Suite 102 Carlsbad, CA 92009 P: (760) 929-1180 E: slboyce@financialdesign.net W: www.FinancialDesign.net

San Diego

Dr. Nisha Bunke can easily be considered a pioneer in her field of medicine. Hard to believe when you meet this beautiful young woman, but in fact she was the first physician in the United States to complete the fellowship training supported by the American College of Phlebology in the field of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. This was a relatively new field of medicine when she began her fellowship at UCSD, under the renowned vascular surgeon Dr. John J. Bergan. Since 2008 she has dedicated her entire practice to the care of those suffering from venous diseases.

Dr. Bunke is a native Californian, growing up in Lake Elsinore where her interest in service to others first surfaced. She was a Volunteer Firefighter when she was just a senior in High School. She went on to take a First Responder’s Course, and as a College Freshman at UC Santa Barbara she became an EMT, and went on to volunteer in medical Clinics. Along with her growing love of medicine, she also had a wanderlust which drew her to linguistics as a double major. She studied Japanese and spent a summer abroad fine tuning her language skills in Japan.

Her love of travel and linguistics led her to take a year off after college and accept a position to teach in Bangkok, where she hoped to add the language of Thai to her ever-growing study of foreign languages.

“Unfortunately, in the area of Bangkok where I taught, just about everyone spoke English, so picking up the language was not as natural as I thought it would be.”

At this point in her career Dr. Bunke realized that she definitely wanted to go on to become a physician so she began her Master’s program at Cal State and subsequently matriculated in Medical School. In Medical School, she was able to combine her love of travel and medicine by an opportunity to study abroad in England during her third year. Seeing the practice of medicine in England and the Nationalized Healthcare System, was eye-opening for Dr. Bunke.

At this point Dr. Bunke’s career ambitions were pointing towards obtaining a residency in family medicine and she saw herself with a future working with Doctors Without Borders, feeling she could utilize her love of travel, her linguistic skills, and her altruistic desire to help those who truly needed her medical knowledge. So she obtained her board certification in family medicine in preparation for her future career.

However, during her three-year residency in Southern Indiana, a rotation in the area of venous medicine grabbed her attention. It became of such great interest to her that she had a deep desire to learn more. During this time she saw a lot of patients with venous leg ulcers and Dr. Bunke soon learned that this was a condition that could be cured, and these patients did not have to live for decades suffering with the pain of this condition.

She also started to realize that if she wanted to have a somewhat normal life, which would include not only her medical career but a family of her own one day, that perhaps focusing on this particular area might be an all-around better fit.

This led her to her fellowship, and to her current practice. In the last 5 years she has added a wonderful husband Mike and two beautiful

children Ava and Aaron. With all of these new aspects of her life Dr. Bunke has also managed to write and edit a 600 page book entitled “The Vein Book,” with her favorite teacher and mentor Dr. John J. Bergan, who has since passed away. “Working on the book was an amazing experience. It was published by Oxford University Press and I co-edited it with the late Dr. John Bergan. It is over 600 pages, and it is an extensive study of all disorders of the veins and venous diseases. The book is written by some of the most well-known and respected vascular surgeons in the world, with each one having their own chapter. It is truly a life’s work, and I am very proud that my chapter is in there among such noteworthy physicians.”

If this isn’t enough to keep most people busy, Dr. Bunke has been working for the last six years on a new medical recovery cream to help her patients look and feel better. Dr. Bunke has teamed up with the inventor of Abreva®, to bring this amazing new product to market. It is called Recova® and includes the right combination of natural ingredients and science to reduce bruising, redness, pain and swelling after surgery. It is manufactured locally, here in San Diego. Patients particularly like the soothing qualities of the cream. Although it was initially created for her own patients, Recova® is utilized in plastic surgery and dermatology centers with extremely favorable results.

So I asked Dr. Bunke to spend some time talking to me about her main love, her medical practice. I wanted to know what types of problems bring most of her patients to her office? “The majority of my patients are seeking treatment for varicose veins. Most come to see me because they are suffering with painful varicose veins. Sometimes, women will come because they do not like the way their legs look with these varicose or spider veins. They often do not even realize that a lot of the symptoms they have, which are bringing them discomfort, are due to these veins.

When we do the procedures they are then amazed at how much better they feel.”

I was surprised to hear that it is often the cosmetic problem that brings women to Dr. Bunke’s office and they do not know that there may in fact be an underlying medical condition for which they should be seeking treatment. “Yes, the first thing we do is an ultrasound which will tell us if there is an underlying venous disease that is causing the varicose veins.

Once we know what is behind the problem, then we can properly treat it.

What most people don’t realize is how far the treatment of varicose and spider veins has come. The treatment now is primarily Endovenous Ablation which is an image-guided, minimally invasive treatment. It uses radiofrequency to cauterize (burn) and close the varicose veins. The procedure is done in office and only takes about 30 minutes. Several treatments may be needed, but if the condition is due to a venous disease most insurances cover it. Gone are the days of serious vein stripping surgeries, the results are amazing and you can leave my office and go back to your normal activity.”

As with any disease we all want to know if there are ways to avoid it, but according to Dr. Bunke a large part of whether you get varicose veins is due to heredity. She has seen patients as young as 13 with them. There are however some preventive steps we can take to help minimize the occurrence, or at least lessen the severity “Unfortunately, women are more prone to them than men. Many women will get them after pregnancy.

Some preventive measures are to not sit or stand for long periods of time, but if you have a sedentary job, try to get up and walk every 45 minutes or so. While sitting try to have your legs elevated and flex your calf muscles frequently. Compression socks are also helpful and thankfully they have come out with some more stylish ones so more women are wearing them now.”

Most important of all is to not ignore symptoms such as bulging varicose veins or achy legs. Even small spider veins, if prevalent in the inner ankle and inner knee area, can be a forecast of more serious problems. These require a visit to a vascular specialist who can relieve you of the pain and discomfort. “Sometimes patients live with the leg pain and restless leg syndrome for so long that they almost get used to it. They are amazed at how much better they feel after they receive treatment.”

So if you are having any of these symptoms don’t hesitate to contact a specialist. Not only will you be happy that the unsightly varicose veins make your legs look better in a dress, but you will find out how much better you feel once the problem is resolved.

To set up an appointment with Dr. Nisha Bunke contact: La Jolla Vein Care Dr. Nisha Bunke 9850 Genesee Ave #410 La Jolla, CA 92037 (858) 550-0330

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Dr. Nisha Bunke

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fabulous finds

SoftScience™ Daisy Clog

When I first heard about this new line of comfortable footwear being designed and marketed by a local San Diego Company, I was curious if it would live up to its claims. I have learned over the years and years of jamming my feet into shoes that claimed to be comfortable, that what is comfortable to one woman may not be comfortable to another.

After wearing SoftScience Clogs I can honestly say, they understated the comfort level of their shoes.

I had been in heels all day at a speaking engagement, and I slipped them on the minute I returned home. I never took them off and even contemplated sleeping in them, that is how comfortable they are. The company suggests that they are great shoes for mamas-to-be, yoga lovers, beach walkers and foot pain suffers, but they clearly left off “every female who ever has to wear heels for a prolonged amount of time.”

Using the comfort of Trileon, the Daisy clog was designed by footwear executives previously with Sperry, Reebok and Crocs. The Daisy Pro clog brings a functional and easy to wear option to working women who require supreme comfort footwear. As their advertising states, "This incredibly lightweight yet supportive slip-on is built on our non-marking, slip-resistant Trileon™ outsole. The Universal Comfort Platform of the Daisy Pro distributes body weight evenly across several foot zones, eliminating pressure points and relieving foot tension. The upper is made from an easy to clean synthetic leather." The Canvas version provides all the same comfort in a fun casual shoe that is perfect for casual wear, post run/exercise recovery, indoor relaxing, post-operative recuperation or for anyone who appreciates being supremely comfortable at all times. As the company claims and I wholeheartly admit, “They feel like you are standing on millions of microscopic pillows which cushion every step.” This is a shoe that should be in every woman’s closet. Find out how you can get your little bit of heaven. Visit their site at http://www.softscience.com/womens

Giraffe to The Rescue When a product comes along which helps to make life easier for a varied group of women, we have to share it with our readers.

We came upon this very unique solution which can help make life just a little easier for pregnant women, post-partum women, postsurgical women, and elderly women. What is even better is that this same product can help even the healthiest and fittest of women simply because they may live in a small apartment, a mobile home or perhaps are about to embark on a romantic cruise. I am sure you are bewildered trying to guess what could this versatile product possibly be.

It is The Giraffe Razor Extension Handle. This product makes it easy for anyone to achieve a smooth, close shave. The handle allows for a customized length and angle, perfect for anyone who has trouble bending over. The expectant mom in your life is going to appreciate your gift, which she’ll (still) be able to use even after she’s had her baby. Who doesn’t want an accommodating razor?!

Features of the Giraffe Razor Extension Handle: • Two universal razor attachments (small and large) • Snaps onto the handle of any common disposable and reusable razor • Quick connect and release buttons • Telescoping handle • Extends 15-20 inches • Pivoting handle rotates to 30°, 45° or 90° angle • Non-slip grip • Wrist lanyard for easy retrieval • Rubberized finish for optimal control The Giraffe is perfect for an effortless shave. No bending necessary, which makes it convenient for pregnant women who are struggling with an altered center of balance. It’s also an ideal accessory for anyone recuperating from surgery, people with arthritis and back pain, or anyone stuck shaving in small spaces.

For more information visit https://www.giraffebathandbody.com/

An Opener That is Pure Magic™ It doesn’t look like a can opener, it doesn’t feel like a can opener, and most importantly it doesn’t act like a normal can opener. The Magic Opener will solve the many problems we face when trying to open the variety of bottles that we use when entertaining. The Magic Opener will allow you to serve your guests without any stress or struggles this summer. Backyard BBQs and pool parties will never be the same once you get a Magic Opener. This handy tool will allow you to keep your guests happy and hydrated in an instant. You simply pop on the Magic Opener, twist and lift - no straining necessary. This will pop the tops off of practically any bottle without chipping nails or causing hand pain. The Magic Opener also has the added benefit of opening any pet food or soup can with its tab-pulling function. It’s also magnetic, which means you can hang it on your fridge or BBQ grill, making it readily available for you and your friends. Kids won’t have to ask you for help either - they can open their drinks on their own, with the Magic Opener’s easy-to-use abilities.

Magic Opener features: • Ergonomic • Magnetic • The Magic Opener will give you a hand despite disability or pain.

• Fits 4 different plastic cap sizes including any plastic soda bottles • Pops tops on aluminum soda cans • Pulls tabs on soup and pet food cans • Can pop open traditional glass bottles To order this wonderul product visit their • Ideal for anyone with limited hand strength or arthritis site at: http://www.magicopener.com/

Olloclip 4-IN-1 Photo Lens FISHEYE, WIDE-ANGLE, MACRO 10X AND 15X For iPhone 6/6s & 6/6s Plus Most women love having the ability to grab a quick photo of a special moment, but are not always prepared to get the right shot. With the Olloclip 4-in-1, you can always have the right lens with you to guarantee the best photos possible. Olloclip’s Rose Gold 4-in-1 lens is exactly what you need to turn your phone into a camera with interchangeable lenses. The special edition Rose Gold 4-In-1 lens is olloclip’s sleekest new colorway to match the iPhone 6/6s and 6/6s Plus. Just like the original 4-In-1 lens, this version offers olloclip’s most versatile and premium mobile lens experience in a compact, easy-to-use design. It features four advanced optic quick-change lenses (fisheye, Wide-Angle, Macro 10x and 15x) all weighing in at less than an ounce. The wide-angle lens is the perfect option to get that much needed selfie without the need for a tripod or selfie stick. Alternatively, the Wide-Angle is also ideal for photographing panoramic landscapes. With so much versatility fitting in your handbag you almost eliminate the need for a camera. It even comes with a neck strap, so you can hold it around your neck with the lenses close at hand for quick changes.

For more information visit their website at https://www.olloclip.com/shop/lenses/ iphone6-4-in-1/rose-gold-white-clip/ to order your own and be ready for whatever great photo opportunity comes your way.

IPops™ Charms & Gems for Watch bands Just when you thought every possible fashion accessory was already designed, a company like IPops comes up with a brand new item.

Since the world is now obsessed with a number of varied accessories that are taking the place of bracelets, we sometimes feel like it is impossible to show our personalities. With IPops you can accessorize your watches, FitBits and AppleWatches, by adding a variety of charms which pop into the unused holes of your watchband. There are over 160 to choose from and they even have seasonal charms which help you to celebrate your favorite times of the year in style. Some of their most popular charms includes sunglasses, occupational charms, marathon charms, American Flags, Martinis, sports, sailing and more. Have some fun with your watch and tell the world who you are. Visit http://myipops.com to join in on the newest craze.

San Diego

Henley-on-Thames English Shaving Oils For Women & Men We all look forward to summertime, except for one issue, the constant need to be sure we are always sufficiently shaved for those skimpy sundresses, bathing suits, and tank tops. It can not only be a bothersome task, but for some of us a painful one. This no longer has to be a problem. I recently discovered SOMERSETS English Shaving Oils. If you are like me, you have tried shaving creams and gels, even the ones made especially for women, and still you get cuts and bumps. With SOMERSETS, this is no longer an issue. Besides the obvious advantage of not getting the cuts and bumps, what I like best about it is how it makes your skin feel. There is a suppleness and softness that you feel after you have used these oils. The reasons are the natural ingredients that are used to create this wonderful product. These shaving oils are made of the highest quality natural ingredients from around the globe- Tea Tree, Aloe Vera, Lavender and Rosemary- to soothe, heal, moisturize and protect your skin. The packaging is small and ideal for travel or to just toss in your gym or beach bag. The consistency of the shaving oil also makes it possible to shave when you have no water to do so. If you want a solution to a major summertime problem, visit their website today and order up a few bottles. I guarantee you will be hooked. http://somersets.com

Woman

SOMERSETS

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Green Goo

®

100% ALL NATURAL DEODORANT Fresh & Dry When the going gets tough we sometimes need a deodorant that can be sure we stay fresh and dry. I always thought spray deodorants were the way to go, until I was able to try out this innovative new product by Green Goo. Green Goo’s deodorant can meet the challenge, but with the added plus that it is 100% natural. This breakthrough natural product is infused with calendula flowers to provide a fresh natural fragrance.

Green Goo also includes anti-fungal, anti-yeast and anti-microbial products with Arrow root which is used as an antiperspirant. It is also aluminum-free. On top of this list of fine ingredients are pure essential oils for aromatherapy. This deodorant also comes in an unscented option. If you are looking for a deodorant to meet the challenge and keep you fresh and dry all summer pick yourself up Green Goo. You can visit their website at http://www.sierrasageorganics.com/deodorant.aspx

GoodHangups™

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Magnetic Hanging System When we had the opportunity to try out this product in our office we were thrilled with the outcome. We instantly understood why the Today Show selected this product the winner in the “Next Big Thing” contest. This is a unique way to hang posters, prints, photos and cards without putting holes in your wall or damaging your prints.

By simply applying a sticker, with a magnet attached to it, to any surface (concrete, brick, wood, flat walls, glass, doors, etc.) you can easily hang up art work with ease. This is a product that is perfect for rentals, offices, dorm rooms and just about any place in need of a fashion makeover without having to make a huge commitment.

GoodHangups™ are removable and reusable, if you decide to change the artwork or the location of the artwork, you can make it happen in just a few quick moments. This is a product that once you own, you won’t know how you lived without it. GoodHangups™are available at Papersource stores across the US, QVC and online on their site www.goodhangups.com.

Hot Girls Pearls

Global Cooling One Woman At A Time Thank you Hot Girls Pearls Costume Jewelry company for making woman look and feel fabulous during the hottest times of the year. Let’s face it, when the weather heats up, you don’t want to compromise your fashion look. Now you don’t have to. Hot Girls Pearls Costume Jewelry Company has introduced the coolest new product. A pair of peals that is not just classy, but keeps you cool and collected during those moments of increase heat and humidity. Let’s not forget those of us who are suffering with the side effects of menopause. Simply place these pearls in the freezer, and before very long you will be standing in front of the mirror no longer looking hot and disheveled, but instead, cool and classy.

This cool feeling will last during that outdoor cocktail party, when everyone else is melting before your eyes, you will be sipping your delicious cocktail basking in the knowledge that you look so much better than everyone else.

Seriously ladies, you need to visit this site and pick up a pair or two, and maybe even a bracelet to finish off the look. If you want to look and feel cool, this is the way to go. Visit http://hotgirlspearls.com/ to order your set today.

Mastey’s ® Styling Products Eco Friendly styling products

During the summer months, we all want to have that beachy relaxed look to our hair and after trying Mastey Color Protecting BEACH SPRAY with Argan Oil & Olive Oil, I finally found the perfect product to provide the look I have always wanted. The complete line of Mastey’s Styling Products is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids, which give added shine and vibrancy to your hair. I could see a difference after just a week of using them. As an eco-conscious consumer, I was thrilled when I found out that their products were vegan and never tested on animals. With these fine ingredients used, the products never compromised hair color and they did not weigh down the thin hair that I was unfortunately born with, but gave me added volume.

Their product line includes such fantastic products such as DEFINING CREAM, DRY WAX, STYLING GEL and VOLUMIZING GEL which all contain argan and olive oil. Visit their website to stock up on these great hair styling products today. http://www.colorprotecting.com/ styling/

Precious Memories

Keeping your memories close to your heart They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but when you see the work of Joel B. Ragan you will realize that a 3D representation of a loved one is priceless. Precious memories of our children when they are young are ones we need to hold on to because they grow up so fast. Mr. Ragan can take a two dimensional photograph of your child and transform it into a three dimensional gold or silver charm that you can wear around your neck and close to your heart. With our busy lives and work schedules and the many demands we face every day, it’s nice to know we can carry our loved ones with us. When we lost our beloved dog Rusty at the age of 16 ½ there was little that could console our family. We sent Mr. Ragan a photo of Rusty and were amazed when we received the beautiful charm, which bore a stunning resemblance to our dog. When we saw it an amazing calm came over us. Having this charm with us and close to our heart was such a comfort. If you have a loved one who you would like to keep close to your heart visit www.ragansjewelry.com and see what beautiful works of art they can create for you.

San Diego

The first night I tried the luxurious Branché sleep products I was transported back to my childhood. I remembered my mom and grandmother utilizing silk pillowcases as soon as they returned home from the hairdresser so that their hair would remain beautiful the following day. Upon reading Donna Hind’s story about how she came about the creation of her sleep line, she recalled the same memory and it actually was one of the reasons for the existence of her wonderful product line. With a thriving fashion business selling to over 800 specialty boutiques including Nordstrom’s, Donna found herself too busy to even stop to get her hair styled. Remembering the miracle of her mom’s satin pillowcase on her hairstyles she decided to create her own line of silk sleep products. I was lucky enough to lie my head down upon the luxurious Charmeuse pillowcase and use the wonderful Belle De Nuit Eye Masque. Not only did my hair look wonderful, but I felt wonderful and probably had one of the best night’s sleep in a very long time. The cool fabric upon my eyes also gave me a level of comfort that I usually don’t wake up with. If you want to experience a wonderful night of sleep and wake up ready to get up and go to work looking and feeling wonderful, visit Branché at www.BranchebeautySleep.com.

Woman

Branché™ the ideal beauty Sleep™

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He Said, She

Said

Photos by Lisa K. Miller

We have all realized that obviously men and women don't always see things exactly the same way. So, even though, we are a Woman's Magazine, we only thought it fair that we allow men to have a chance to share their opinions. Hence, He Said, She Said was born. Should you have a topic that you would like us to debate, email our editor at editor@sdwomanmagazine.com.

I can't wait to hear from you!

She Said...

I have heard so many men complain about how women change once they get married. It is quite often a part of comedy routines that sends waves of laughter through the audience. They are hinting that women may even be lying about who they are and what they truly want, just to capture a man and force them to “put a ring on it.” What is rarely mentioned, or made the butt of jokes in comedy routines, is how much men change as well.

Maybe it is just the fact that the more familiar we become with our partners the more we let our guard down, and the more likely we are to show our spouse who we really are.

Why would women have to trick men into marriage? If you think about it, who gets the better deal when it comes to this blessed union? Maybe we need to think this through more. In the old days marriage for a woman may have been a great arrangement: A woman got married, stayed at home and, as I recently heard it referred to, was “sponsored” so she didn’t have to work. She was a housewife and then a mother who wasn’t expected to earn a living. Today, things are very different. A woman not only does the housewife thing, but she is also expected to work full time (often making more money than the man) but she cannot rub it in his face. She still has to find a way to get home before he does so she can make dinner and tend to the kids, probably pick them up from daycare and do homework with them while dealing with a disgruntled client on the phone, while nursing the younger baby and stirring up a dinner.

How does a man’s life change…hmmm let me think? He gains a cook, a housekeeper, a full time lover and childcare worker. She’s a cheerleader and encourages him; shares his daily stresses at work and of course his accomplishments, and must always appear interested, even if she is not.

If she is lucky he will provide a listening ear to allow her to vent about her day at the office, or about the tooth that the baby just cut. If he has to travel for work, she is on her own with the children, but of course he discourages her traveling at all for her job, since she has a baby she is nursing, so therefore she must never spend a night away. What about finances?

Oh, well, they are shared. They each pay half of the mortgage and all of the household bills. If she is lucky to make a significant salary she may be able to, on occasion, buy herself or one of the children a special gift.

Now, if she were single… she’d work the same job, but the money would be all hers. Instead of coming home after a full day at the office, picking up kids and breastfeeding while doing homework and making dinner, she most likely would be (either) at happy hour being bought drinks by the hot new attorney at the firm while he tells her how incredible she is, or sitting on her couch kicking off her Manolo Blahnik shoes with her favorite take out sipping on a glass of wine watching her favorite episode of Mistresses.

Her bank account would be solid, her housekeeper would have the house sparkling clean, and her biggest concern might be when the next sale at Nordstrom’s begins.

Are we less nice to you when we finally get you to “put the ring on it?”

Maybe because YOU have changed and you don’t treat us like a princess anymore, but instead as the hired help and we have taken a serious pay cut. So next time a local comedian starts picking on women and their complacent attitude after marriage, be the heckler in the room and yell out, “Well let’s talk about my husband.”

He Said...

Put a ring on it? Seriously? Capcha you? Is that what this whole thing is about – the chase and the disappointing outcome? As late as the middle 60s women were told to become wives and mothers and live happily ever after with their knight in shining armor. You weren’t expected to do much more. Men were expected to do the rest. Flawed system. If you are “waiting to let your guard down to show us who you really are” perhaps you need to rethink your reality. Men put their best feet forward in the beginning too and hide some things, but nothing like the arsenal women have in store for us. The joke has always been that no matter how macho men are and think they’re in charge – we really do know who the boss is. There’s no mystery here. But if you are so unhappy and we (men) are the cause of all your problems – move on: Be happy with your Manolo Blahniks on the floor next to the half bottle of wine and day old take out. We’ve got game too.

But this argument shouldn’t be about how women are always right – it should be about how we can do better – all of us – and stop this senseless show of who’s the best of the species. If you didn’t vet your future lover or spouse any better than this, you share the blame. If you didn’t ask the tough questions and address the red flags head on, you’re to blame. You have to stop being mothers looking for a man to change and mold into what you want and start looking for the Right Man who shares the same philosophies and goals as you. And, by the way, women still do trick men into marriage. It’s an old construct that just won’t end.

Some men do look for cooks and housekeepers and full time lovers and a childcare worker: Mamma’s boys. They want a mamma to do their bidding. Sorry, but you should have seen this guy miles away and ran. Big red flag. Just like we encounter women who only want to be coddled and taken care of - sharing none of the responsibility within the marriage, we (too) should run just as fast. But we all make mistakes. If it’s bad enough there are solutions: Counseling, coaching, arbitration. If he or she won’t go – go alone. Life is (indeed) too short to live it by being unhappy. I believe everything that can be done should be done to fix a marriage, but when you reach the point where the choice is obvious, take it. Marriage is the hardest thing to do right and the easiest thing to do wrong.

Women are proven leaders today. Women can accomplish anything they want – today. So why would a woman chose to stay? Your strength is in your resilience. I have heard men and women say they stay because of the kids; yet the kids are the ones suffering most. It’s a tough choice.

In the 60s you burned your bras and pumped your fists in the air and began a journey towards freedom. In the 70’s the womens movement was well under way with Gloria Steinem eviscerating men, Erica Jong taking flight and promoting the idea that you can have freedoms you couldn’t claim before: Zipless – yes, commitment – no. And then, you started demanding more from men: You wanted us to cry and show more emotion in the 80s. We did. In the 90s you demanded we be better men and become better fathers and lovers and… we did. Now men are as integral to a successful marriage as you (no, we don’t give birth). We are better fathers, husbands, stay at home dads, grandfathers, earners, supporters of your businesses…the list is long and impressive and we still don’t get any credit and you still complain we are the bad seeds of marriage while not sharing any of the blame. You can’t have it both ways! For every finger pointed at us there are as many pointing back at you. Men never ask if their butts look big in their pants.

Women are the entrepreneurs of the new millennium and more women are graduating from college than men. Pay inequity still exists but your husbands are not to blame. We are your partners just as you are ours. I can’t help what male and female (you should hear what female comics are saying about men!) comedians do on stage. Maybe we both just need to laugh at ourselves once in a while.

Explaining The Small Business Failure Rate

the average value of a single transaction?

• Failing to manage their message across all customer touch points.

Most businesses are unaware of all the ways consumers use technology to find them. Businesses should create a Customer Journey Map so they can see all the touch points across all channels, measure how well they are doing and then identify gaps and opportunities.

• Being unaware of marketing fundamentals. Just like an archer tries to hit the bull’s-eye, an entrepreneur tries to reach customers. No matter how many arrows that may be in her quiver, if she doesn’t know how to aim, she’ll probably miss. The same is true with marketing.

“You need to know who you’re marketing to,” Dominguez says. “Why are you marketing to them? What are their wants and needs? When you do this effectively, you shift from sinking money into fixing problems and into growing your business through strategic decision making.”

It’s Easy to Eat Right Dawn Nicoli

The best tip I know for eating well and staying healthy is to pre plan.

One day a week I shop for mixed vegetables, fruits, chicken and fish or what looks good that week. I do all my chopping and store the washed precut veggies in our best friend - Tupperware.

I broil some fish and pull apart the chicken and store in another Tupperware container.

On any given night the veggies are ready to stir fry in the wok with some virgin olive oil and garlic.

I can then mix them with whichever protein I choose.

The whole mixture makes great left overs, stored in a separate Tupperware.

Mixing and matching keeps it interesting by combining brown rice, a yam or even some feta cheese.

All meals can be ready in about 10 minutes.

If you don’t have to search for what to eat, you won’t be tempted to eat the wrong food.

If the healthy choice is right in front of you, it’s easy to eat well.

San Diego

Statistics about business success aren’t reassuring.

About 80 percent of new businesses fail in the first 18 months, according to Bloomberg Business research. During the economic meltdown of 2008, for the first time in decades more businesses closed than were started.

“What business owners don’t seem to understand is that what’s required not only to survive but to thrive, is within their control,” says Pamela Herrmann, author of “The Customer Manifesto: How Business Has Failed Customers And What It Takes To Earn Lasting Loyalty.”

“The typical business owner has no idea how to create leverage, how to utilize new technologies, how to strategize to be competitive, or how to stop the hemorrhaging of cash in the form of failed online-marketing investments.”

Herrmann is co-founder with Patty Dominguez of CREATE Buzz (www.CreateBuzzNow.com), which is changing the way small businesses connect with customers – both online and offline. Dominguez and Herrmann review four business mistakes – and ways to correct them: • Missing the biggest revenue opportunity.

Much of traditional marketing focuses on attracting new customers.

“But the biggest revenue opportunity is in keeping existing customers,” Dominguez says. Among the ways to keep customers loyal: Always greet them warmly. If they are waiting in line, thank them for their patience and assure them you’ll be with them promptly. Make certain your business is clean and comfortable. Use words such as ‘my pleasure,’ ‘absolutely’ and ‘you’re most welcome’ instead of ‘sure,’ ‘no problem’ or ‘yeah.’

• Tracking the wrong metrics.

Business owners often make marketing decisions based on short-term data, like how much money is in the bank or how many sales they made last month. This is reactive — not proactive.

Herrmann and Dominguez say the way to focus on the right metrics is to ask such questions as: How many new leads did you get this month?

How much did it cost you to acquire that new lead or customer? What’s

Woman

With Pamela Herrmann and Patty Dominguez

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Bitchin & Moaning

By Judith A. Habert

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What has happened to TV news and Sports? I can’t help but wonder if there has been a new mandate from all television networks, that female Anchors and Sportscasters are not allowed in front of the camera unless they are wearing bandage dresses that are at least two sizes too small and more than fifteen inches above the knee!

I do understand that there has always been a double standard on Network News: Men stay around much longer as anchors and sportscasters because they are thought to look distinguished and more knowledgeable. Women are shown the door once they start to show their age - that usually being anything over 35.

This has been taken to a whole new level though. If you have watched TV lately you will see that it appears as if one network is competing against the next to see how low the necklines can go and how high the hemlines. In a recent panel discussion, I cringed as I watched a group of four female newswomen sitting around a male anchor. As the camera panned from one to the other and they crossed and uncrossed their legs I recalled the famous scene with Sharon Stone (in Basic Instinct).

But instead of one there was a quartet of them.

I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for the male viewers to pay attention to what was being said, while concentrating on hemline movement.

We have some amazing female anchors in San Diego; women who have been in their jobs for years, like Kimberly Hunt, who graced our cover a few years ago. She is a strikingly beautiful woman, but has always dressed impeccably without having to rely on these tactics to get attention. Matter of fact, she recently won an Emmy - it was for talent not how much leg she showed.

What is most troubling is the message given to young women who chose to someday become members of the nightly news. What happened to the belief that talent and hard work was the combination to success in broadcast journalism? Now it appears the message being sent is, “As

a woman hoping to be in this profession, if you are not willing to wear a short tight dress, pick another career.”

When I think of Sportscasters I think of retired athletes who can no longer play on the field, so they talk in the locker rooms or in the sportscaster booths or on the fields. Of late, men are the minority in the Sportscaster field. There was something to be said listening to those seasoned athletes who had war stories of their days behind the glove or throwing the football.

Perhaps it was the faded machismo that kept our attention and that there was life after playing sports.

Instead there are women in the locker room with a microphone, shoving it in the face of a half -naked athlete while wearing their party dresses. Rumor has it that it originated out of Miami where stations were in constant competition for the most beautiful and sexy weather girls. Ratings skyrocketed and people not even living in Miami suddenly gained interest in the daily accuweather forecasts: News shot over the Internet had developed a national following rather than just local or regional.

Now even the most conservative and slowto-change agency, Major League Baseball, has gone the route of not only reporting the scores, but also making men wonder if they can score with the hot female Sportscasters.

Perhaps this has increased with the rise of ever more expensive Cable broadcasting special packages.

In this day and age, we do not need to discourage our young intelligent female college women from entering into a field that clearly needs bright new talent. If you can get past the outfits, the current ranks of female broadcast journalists are intelligent and excellent at what they do, but many viewers cannot look or listen past their less than dignified apparel. Come on MLB and news stations across America. Don’t you think that there is enough news breaking events that the talk over the Internet should not be hemlines but storylines?

There’s A Gender Gap In Sports Injuries

By Ronnie Blair

Often joint injuries are treated with what health professionals refer to as RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), which can help ease pain and reduce swelling.

Many people also use over-the-counter pain medication, and if the pain persists they might turn to a doctor for prescription medication and in some cases surgery.

More recently, technology is emerging as an alternative option for temporarily relieving pain.

Shapiro has been involved in that research and, as a leader in the growing field of technaceuticals, co-invented with David B. Sutton the Willow Curve, which is one example of how technology designed for the home can work to temporarily ease chronic pain. Because it’s also a smart computer, the device assesses the condition of the joint and delivers a targeted digital treatment.

“Digital-therapeutic technology holds great opportunity to improve the quality of life for weekend warriors, both women and men, who have put their bodies to the test,” Shapiro says, “and also for anyone with chronic joint pain.”

San Diego

Woman

Many men cultivate a tough-guy, weekend-warrior image, pushing their bodies to the limit with an active lifestyle, and then reaching for an ice pack and a couple of ibuprofen tablets by bedtime.

But it turns out women are no slouch in the weekend-warrior department – or in racking up injuries to limp home with.

“A lot of people might be surprised to learn that women are even more likely than men to suffer many of the most common sports injuries,” says Dr. Ronald Shapiro, medical director of Physicians Technology LLC and co-inventor of the Willow Curve (www.willowcurve.com), a low-level smart laser that treats joint pain.

Those injuries can include ankle sprains, shoulder troubles and knee problems, Shapiro says.

“It seems that people are more active than ever in sports and other activities, so our joints wear out sooner in life,” he says. “And, as has been documented, this can have an even greater impact on women.”

Why is that? Members of the medical community who have pondered the question have come up with a few reasons. Those include: • Women have higher levels of estrogen, which can lead to ligament

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injuries. They also have less muscle mass and more body fat than men.

• They have greater flexibility because their ligaments are looser.

In addition, their muscles are less powerful.

• Their wider pelvises alter the alignment of the knee and ankle.

“It’s great to be active,” Shapiro says. “But anyone who’s suffered from tennis elbow or sore knees knows that it’s no fun to finish the day in pain.”

Even what people would consider “safe” sports can end up placing extraordinary stress on joints, he says. For example, a recent medical report revealed a golf swing can place as much as 4.5 times your weight in force on your front-knee joint. That's 675 pounds for an individual of 150 pounds.

“Imagine how much more stress the really aggressive sports can place on our joints,” Shapiro says. “That stress takes a real toll over time.”

About Dr. Ronald Shapiro Dr. Ronald Shapiro is medical director and co-founder of Physicians Technology LLC, and is co-inventor of the Willow Curve (www.willowcurve.com). His early research in evaluating drug-free pain management led to breakthrough advancements in safe and effective joint-pain relief by combining digital thermal kinetic, photonic and laser-like technologies.

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Transitions

with

Carol LeBeau

Skin Cancer Darn it all!! Once again my dermatologist has benched me: No running, swimming or biking for two weeks. Bleh!

For the fifth time in two years, a squamous cell skin cancer has claimed a big chunk of my body. Two ugly scars on my right forearm…two on my right shin and the latest…an angry incision healing on my right calf muscle.

It’s a bummer for sure. But you know what’s really sad? I deserve every one of those scars.

Throughout high school and college I worked summers as a lifeguard, arriving at work early so I could “lay out” in the sun before baking myself for eight more hours keeping watch over a huge municipal pool reflecting back on me.

To get a jump-start on my tan, I’d fry myself over spring break while visiting my Grandmother in Phoenix and schedule my college spring semester classes so I could sizzle a little more under the midday sun in the courtyard of my dorm.

Determined to be bronze for a winter frat party, I once sat in front of a sunlamp…exposing myself to three times the ultraviolet light recommended (because, stupidly, I couldn’t “feel” anything!) and landed in the ER with second degree burns several hours later!

FELONY stupid!

Now, all the sunscreen in the world can’t stop the self-inflicted damage to my once-smooth skin.

My dermatologist, Dr. Susan Stuart of La Jolla Dermatology, says she sees plenty of former sun worshippers. The sad truth is there’s no turning back. “Once you’ve had a cancerous lesion,” explains Dr. Stuart, “your chance of having more increases. Damage to the DNA in skin cells from ultraviolet exposure has reached a threshold which promotes the transformation to cancerous cells,” not very encouraging for those of us from the baby oil, iodine and reflector generation. But this doesn’t have to be your story. The key is prevention!

When used properly, today’s sunscreens are entirely effective. Dr. Stuart recommends choosing one that is broad spectrum (covering UVA and UVB) with an SPF of 30 or higher. “Reapply every two hours if in the sun,” says Dr. Stuart. “For sensitive skin, choose one labeled for babies.”

Those with fair skin who sunburn easily are at the highest risk level for developing skin cancer. Other risk factors include family history, having

more than twenty-five moles, and smoking.

“The effect of the sun is cumulative,” says Dr. Stuart. “So every walk to and from the car and mailbox adds up. Even light clothing and car windows allow UV to reach the skin.”

So, how do you know when that “thing” on your arm needs to be looked at by a doctor? Basically, if it’s a new or changing lesion or a mole that looks different from the others, get it checked. According to Dr. Stuart, that “thing” on your face that looks like a pimple, but doesn’t go away… could be a basal cell carcinoma.

Then, be on the lookout for the deadliest form of skin cancer--malignant melanoma. (Check box for the ABCDE’s of melanoma) Early detection is crucial because it can spread to the lymph nodes and other organs… resulting in death.

Still not motivated to apply that sunscreen? I’ll be happy to show you my scars.

The ABCDE’s of melanoma: A asymmetry B border—irregular border or poorly defined C color—variations in color within the mole, black color, sometimes red or pink D diameter—greater than six millimeters E evolving—moles that are changing size, color, shape or look different than all the rest.

Most Common Skin Cancers: 1. Basal Cell Carcinoma—BCC often appears as a pink or pearly papule or a pink, scaly patch. It grows locally and does not spread to other parts of the body.

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma—SCC has a precursor lesion called actinic keratosis. It appears as a pink patch. Invasive SCC is a thicker, pink, scaly patch. It’s usually locally destructive, but aggressive SCC can spread to lymph nodes and other organs.

3. Malignant Melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer. It may rise from pre-existing moles or appear independently. Early detection (see ABCDE’s) is crucial. It can spread to lymph nodes and other organs and result in death.

How Social Media Can Make Or Break Your Brand

By Marsha Friedman Often – much too often in my view – I talk with CEOs who are still resistant to getting involved with social media. It’s as if they view sites such as Facebook and Twitter as little more than pesky annoyances that are irrelevant to what they do.

They fail to recognize just how powerful social media can be as a tool that allows them to promote their brands, communicate with customers and handle damage control when complaints come tumbling in.

What they don’t realize is that abstaining from social media really isn’t an option any longer. Social media carries on with or without you, and if you own or manage a business there’s a chance you are already a part of it – through people’s reviews and comments – whether you like it or not.

Recently, I was thinking about the changing ways in which businesses and customers interact, and I asked Jay York and Brittany Vaill, two social media strategists at my company, for their insight about the role social

disgruntled customer is going to show up on Twitter with an angry tweet.”

Brittany and Jay say there are at least four ways social media is transforming the interaction between businesses and consumers:

• Quality of communication. The rise of social media and various social media tools, such as Facebook Messenger, has made communication much quicker and much better. Anyone now can dash off a quick comment or question at nearly any time. The same speed of communication goes for you as a company for whenever you have an important or timely message to share.

• Variety of audiences. Social media isn’t something that only young

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media sites play in that interaction.

“One good example is how Facebook is being used as a customer-service platform,” Jay says. “Customers can go to a company’s Facebook page and send the company a message, instead of making a phone call or sending an email. People want to talk to you on social media and they expect you to talk back.”

If you don’t have anyone managing your social media accounts, though, those consumer questions and complaints are met with silence – and that’s not good.

Jay encountered such a situation not long ago when he began handling social media for a client. Previously, no one had monitored the company's accounts. Ill will had been building with customers who had issues with the company’s product, but were getting no response to their complaints.

One of Jay’s first tasks was to begin responding to those unanswered social media posts. He was able to start building good will as a result.

“You have to be there,” Jay says. “If the only way to contact you is through email or by phone, then that takes away a quick means of communication that many people want and expect.”

Brittany reminded me that many daily newspapers traditionally have had restaurant critics, movie critics or theater critics whose opinions could sway an audience.

“But today everybody can be a critic,” Brittany says. ““That means you need to step it up and be on your game because you never know when a

people use. Every generation is represented. Name a demographic and you can target them and reach them through social media.

• Responsiveness. You can respond quickly to customers’ questions, concerns and needs. That helps you build one-on-one relationships with customers who become loyal and spread the good word about your company on their social media sites.

• Transparency. The whole world can check in on how you handle

those consumer questions and complaints. “If you go on a site and see that a company is responding quickly to its customers, then you are more likely to want to do business with them,” Brittany says. Of course, the opposite also is true.

Never before have companies had to compete in quite this way. Years ago, consumers had no quick and easy way to gauge the reputation of a business, unless perhaps a neighbor or a cousin happened to have done business with you.

Now they can see what the world thinks about you. And you certainly want them to think only the best.

That’s why social media is not just a pesky annoyance anymore. It’s an important piece of your marketing that should command your attention in as professional a way as every other piece of your business.

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Published Author International Artist ©StudioDeeba “Portrait of a Mermaid”

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So if you are a writer, or know someone who is, stop by San Diego Writer’s Annex To find out more visit us at: www.sandiegowritingacademy.com email: Judy@sandiegowritingacademy.com

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A Martial Arts Perspective on Exercise: Expression of Transformation Not Mechanical Conditioning By: Master Joseph Suyat Angeles 4th Degree Black Belt

President Kennedy during the early 1960s pushed for higher standards and wished every American would attain a healthy body. Though you must understand he didn’t mean that every American needed to able to do a certain set of exercises. Instead he believed that if someone was able to move well without injury and have complete mastery of movement, they could proceed to transform their lives. However, nowadays exercise has become more of a means to an end and that end is “looking good”.

Mechanical conditioning is the organized despair of the current state of exercise. The reason I use the word mechanical is to describe the mundane and emotionless activity we now submit ourselves when exercising. For if you think about it nowadays most people exercise to “stay healthy” or “look good”. People submit themselves to daily routines and sets of exercises to improve a certain part of their body. Here’s a phrase that can help you understand how exercise has changed in the 21st century, “Love Handles”. This dreaded phrase to some describes a small section of the stomach area that contains most of our fat. The area in particular has become the main focus for a lot of people trying to get in “shape”. Think of how many commercials you’ve seen that aims to get rid of unwanted fat around the stomach, as well the amount of exercise DVDs that say they can give you that 6 pack that you’ve always wanted. For having a slim body, toned abs and great physique no longer means a successful person like in the good old days of the America. But it now means you are physically attractive, “hot” or “sexy”; for this has become the new purpose of exercising, to create a self-image that is culturally acceptable.

Now the word conditioning comes into play, for some of us have been conditioned to believe that exercise only serves a physical and social purpose. People are mechanically conditioned to do sets of workouts to create a self-image that is socially acceptable. It’s here that we’ve lost the real purpose of exercise, no longer are we transforming our bodies to improve our minds and spirit. Instead we now conditioned to exercise so we can get that great beach body we’ve “always wanted”. Here’s a quote that might help you understand the condition of exercise in this century: “When there is freedom from mechanical conditioning, there is simplicity. Life is a relationship to the whole.” –Bruce Lee We’ve have complicated exercise into rigorous mundane movements to fulfill standards that have been put upon us by society. We have to bring back the traditional idea of what exercise used to be, an expression of transformation of the body, mind and spirit.

Transformation of the body, mind and spirit can be achieved through the mastery of movement. Martial Arts have always been about mastery of the self, being able to conquer your fears and expand yourself to your truest potential. Exercise is the foundation for our transformation, in which we focus on mastering all movement rather than focusing on one or two areas of the body. Being able to move efficiently without injury and at the same time be

"To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person." Bruce Lee It's here that you should understand that exercise for martial artists is about the test of mental strength and physical mastery. For our willingness to face harm with confidence and control is the transformation we are looking for. As this allows us to face other fears within our lives with ease, for learning this type of attitude comes about through martial arts exercise.

We must challenge ourselves mentally and physically to make exercise a productive habit in our lives. We also must stay away from the mundane mechanical exercies that are offered to us everyday; as those programmed improvements will only serve a trival purpose that has been conditioned in our minds by society. You may ask yourself, are there other forms of exercise that provide a whole body transformation? Well yes there are, here is a small list of various hobbies of movement that test mind and your body: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Surfing, Snowboarding/Skiing, etc. What you're looking for are activities that constantly test your mental fortitude while providing an outlet for body to improve.

San Diego

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” President John F. Kennedy

faced with an opponent whose purpose is to harm you is how martial artists transform their body, mind and spirit. As Bruce Lee puts it: “Punches and kicks are tools to kill the ego. The tools represent the force of intuitive or instinctive directness which, unlike the intellect or the complicated ego, does not divide itself, blocking its own freedom. The tools move onward without looking back or to the side.”

Bruce Lee states that our techniques allows us to stay within the moment, in which all of our senses are as one. For if you wonder within your mind you'll lose sight of what is infront of you, which can put you in harms way. It's the training with another person that allows us to face our own fears and surpass them.

Woman

Exercise has always been a statement of transformation for me and my fellow martial artists. Though the meaning of exercise has changed over the decades, if you consider the economic boom of the 1950s where people of fit builds and calloused hands signified a successful American. As the trait of a hardworking American meant they not only succeeded within their career but also sustained a healthy physique. Even a great man like John F. Kennedy understood the importance of how exercise can transform a human beings mind, spirit and health.

Exercise isn't about getting rid of an unwanted part of your body, but instead should provide you an outlet for productivity. Exercise should allow you to be more productive in life and allow you to grow mentally and physically beyond your own expectations. For when we focus our energy into improving ourselves as a whole we allow ourselves to explore the possibilities we've always had in ourselves.

Anthony Hong Tae Kwon Do 12265 Scripps Poway Parkway #106, Poway, CA 92064 Ahtkd.net (858)547-0080

Master Joseph Suyat Angeles has been training Martial Arts for over half of his own lifetime, an astonishing 14 consecutive years. As a native of San Diego he prides himself in trying to improve his immediate community by influencing his students to be productive and positive human beings. For he believes that if we want to create a better community we must all take responsibility in improving ourselves and inspiring others to do the same. Master Joseph went to SDSU earning a bachelors degree in Psychology, taking classes that emphasized upon: Learning, Child Development and Behavior. He utilizes what he has learned at SDSU to help him better train and teach his students, allowing them to realize their true potential. He believes the pursuit of self-actualization, the realization of one's talents and potential is the key to success and happiness. With over 10 years of teaching experience he has seen the effectiveness of Martial Arts on the human condition. For he believes we must train ourselves mental and physically to sustain the amount of stress we must endure in our lifetime. And if we are able to condition ourselves to sustain great stress physically and mentally we are then able to pursue our life goals much easier.

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Stress and its correlation to neck pain

By Saleena Kench, PT, DPT various roles and research studies indicate a higher incidence of neck pain among women and an increased risk of developing neck pain until the 35-49 age range. (1) During times of fatigue and/or stressful situations our body goes into a shallow breathing mode. The intercostal muscles overact and full expansion of the diaphragm does not occur. This exacerbates tension in the anterior neck musculature. Furthermore, studies have shown that stress causes clenching of the jaw. (2) There is overlap between muscles that attach to the jaw and the upper cervical spine. Increased strain in this area can result in what we describe as tension headaches.

The cervical spine has an original curve, which ensures that the vertebrae are aligned well. Improper posture at work, anxiety or a whiplash injury predisposes the spine to move out of that neutral curve. This increases strain on the muscles supporting the spine and the head. Physical therapy has been very effective in treating these symptoms - a detailed physical therapy evaluation is performed to determine the underlying cause of the problem. The therapist can address various other factors such as posture during work and activities of daily living. I have had a lot of success with manual therapy techniques addressing soft tissue and joint restrictions coupled with breathing, stretching and postural strengthening exercises.

References: 1. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Dec; 24(6):783-92. Doi: 10.1016/j. berh.2011.01.019.The epidemiology of neck pain. Hoy DG1, Protani M, De R, Buchbinder R. 2. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2014 summer; 28(3):243-51. doi: 10.11607/ofph.1180.

"Grin(d) and bear it": narratives from Sami women with and without temporomandibular disorders. A qualitative study. Mienna CS, Johansson EE, Wänman A. Most of us have felt tension in the neck and shoulders: Women are emotional beings and we often tend to carry our stress in the neck and mid back area. As a physical therapist, I constantly work with women who suffer from neck pain, tension headaches or generalized tightness throughout the upper body. Women are constantly juggling between

For more information please contact Saleena Kench, PT, DPT Physical Therapist at Nexus Physical Therapy Poway Specializes in Orthopedics, Spine and Sports Injuries poway@nexuspt.com 858- 312- 6444

THE FIRST LADY OF THE LAND

By Gerald M. Neff I am a place and I am a person. I am tall and elegant with my very own property and fame, welcoming people from all over the world as they arrive and enter my living universe.

In my left arm I clutch the Book of Hope which is the law of the land. In my right hand I hold aloft the flame and light of truth and freedom.

Although I am over 150 years old I am never out of fashion. I symbolize all that this great land stands for and continues to be.

At my feet are the broken chains of slavery and my crown sends out rays of hope for all arriving at my shores.

Come visit me inside and feel the positive vibrations of The United States of America. I belong to you and to all of this world.

I am the Grand First Lady of the Land . I invite you all, my countrymen, to celebrate my glorious birthday each year.

NAWBO San Diego and Corporate Alliance present the first annual

Relationship Accelerator Academy

NAWBO/Corporate Alliance/WBEC West Members - $139  Non-Members - $179 Corporate Alliance (CA) is an amazingly powerful experience for savvy business leaders looking to take their companies to the next level. You definitely get out, what you put in. I highly recommend CA to all of my colleagues who are serious about growing their organizations and taking their management skills to the next level.

-Angela Hill, Incitrio

Featuring

Danielle McLaughlin

I really love the welcoming spirit of NAWBO San Diego. It is obvious NAWBO members are intelligent, interesting, and motivated. With Mindy at the helm, NAWBO members can expect a fresh perspective and enthusiasm which serves the organization well.

-Leslie Reilly, San Diego State University

Registration is now available at http://www.nawbo-sd.org/

San Diego

Thursday, August 25, 2016 8:00 am to 5:30 pm Cape Rey Carlsbad, A Hilton Resort 1 Ponto Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011

Woman

A NAWBO San Diego event powered by the content of Corporate Alliance designed especially for women-business owners in San Diego County, Orange County and the Inland Empire

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8 Kinds of Friends That Every Woman Needs Dr. Sanam Hafeez, Neuropsychologist Psy.D One of the most important and yet least understood areas of psychology is the role of friends in our lives. Most of the research on friendship focuses on children and adolescents. Rarely do researchers seriously address friendships over the majority of our lifespan. It’s not just having friends that play a critical role in our lives but the types of friends we choose. The Gallup Organization’s director, Tom Rath believes that we are all aware of the value of friendship - especially during difficult times. In his book, “Vital Friends: The People You Can’t Afford To Live Without,” Rath asserts that if you ask people why they became homeless, why their marriage failed or why they overeat, they often say it is because of the poor quality, or nonexistence, of friendships. Clearly having friends is important. NYC Neuropsychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez breaks down the “friend personality types” that can enhance our psychological well-being.

She believes you truly can be, do, and have anything you imagine and seems to know the right things to say to get you fired up about doing more with your life.

8 Kinds of Friends That Every Woman Needs 1. "The Confidant" -- This is the friend who understands and values discretion: You know that when you tell her something other friends won't find out. What you tell her stays with her. Trust is your bond.

5. "The Older One" -- This is the friend who is older than you. She has experience and offers wisdom. She's nurturing but without the judgement of a family member. Her life experience affords her an ease and flow that calms you down and reminds you that life is a journey and every moment, even the ones that seem tough, are perfect.

2. "The Fun One" -- This is the friend who takes your mind off your problems and redirects you toward a positive headspace. She's the friend who is always up for meeting for a drink, a movie, a spontaneous bite, a party or concert. She puts you in a great mood.

6. "The Platonic Man Friend" -- This is the guy who offers you a male perspective and sets you straight when you're being illogical. He simplifies things. He respects you and has your back like a sister. There's absolutely no sexual tension between you but there's a genuine caring friendship.

There's a give and take in this friendship. You're both there for breakups and business wins and losses and when neither one of you has anything to do you can count on one another to check out a movie or a museum.

3. "The Listener" -- This is the friend who doesn't judge, doesn't give unsolicited advice but just lets you vent, makes you tea and sits with you.

In times of crisis she's a shoulder to cry on.

4. "The Motivator" -- This is the friend who sees your potential and inspires you to write that book, take that class, and lose those 20 pounds.

San Diego

8. “The Childhood Friend� -- This is a friend who you have a history with. She knew your dog that died 10 years ago, your family, your stint in rehab and other significant life events. There is no need to explain significant life events to her- she likely lived them with you. This bond provides security and someone who knows where you came from and what shapes you today. Friends have a strong positive effect in your life.

For example, research shows that having a bunch of good friends increases longevity even more than connecting with relatives and family. Deeply connecting with others actually reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Friends have a strong positive effect in your life. For example, research shows that having a bunch of good friends increases longevity even more than connecting with relatives and family. Deeply connecting with others actually reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Woman

7. "The Happily Married One" -- It is so important to have a real view of what marriage truly is. This is the friend who has the perfect caring husband, the kids who do well in school and always greet you with a hug, even their dog is sweet. They live in a great house and you're welcome anytime. They also have great dinner parties and always seem to know the perfect people for you to meet. Because this friend is married, there is no jealousy factor when you meet the guy of your dreams.

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Hands-on Manual Therepy Aquatic Therapy (East County Location) Fun and Caring Atmosphere Family Oriented Business Experienced Therapists with Multiple Certifications

NEXUS the link between expertise and caring

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The Promise A story about filling the empty hole of loss

By Deeba Van Overberghe

“Tony, I will never leave you. No matter what, I will not leave you.”

She said this with a calm sense of being as she held her husbands face in her hands. An argument had just occurred between the two and I was sitting at the kitchen table, witnessing the bold love between them as they felt safe to state their positions and frustrations. For the first time in her 70 years of life, Myrna fully and completely understood the truth of this promise, inside and out, top-to-bottom. The lightness of this promise to the depths of its darkness, and she wasn’t about to back away. She was ready to uphold this promise no matter what.

My first impression upon meeting Myrna was that of intrigue, grace and elegance. A tall woman, she wore her mystery as one would wear a coat: Comfy and cozy in the fact that not many knew very much about her. This was safe. Protected by this fact, she was able to navigate and carve out a life of great adventures and victorious experiences during a time in her country of Argentina when people were being held to task for their thoughts and actions…just prior to the Dirty War. She had lived an exciting life and was still defining every moment of it.

and a few nights in a hotel, rode a bus from Mexico City, through the United States, to New York where they hopped a plane to Iceland and then another to Paris.

Myrna was born into a family that carved its home out of the land near La Plata, Argentina. At the age of six, she lost her mother due to complications from giving birth to her little brother. Of course it was devastating for this girl of six who had hung onto the parting words of her mother’s promise, “I will return.”

As the top seller of the Encyclopedia Britannica, she gained confidence, a successful reputation and an apartment where she could raise her son. She called her husband and shared her longing for her son, requesting he be sent to her in Spain. Her husband wanted no part of it and demanded that she return to Mexico City if she wanted to be with her son.

Her mother never did return and this loss haunted Myrna for most of her life enabling feelings of abandonment to take hold while she struggled to understand why she had been abandoned by the one she loved the most.

Memories of her family’s homestead prior to her mother’s death are dimmed and slightly tattered at the edges, overshadowed by the life that had come thereafter. However, Myrna holds this memory of safety and love deep down in the chambers of her heart.

She was raised by her father’s sisters and although they were kind and loving, one wonders how she must have felt, to not only have been abandoned by her mother, but then also by her father. This small girl of six must have felt so alone, no matter how much love her aunts gave, it would never have been enough.

So what did happen? She gathered strength and independence in her formative years and didn’t allow any woman too close, as she always believed that her mother’s love would come back to her.

She went to University to be an artist, then changed her degree to becoming a lawyer upon the pressure of her family and their belief that the life of a lawyer was respectable.

She never did complete her education as she had met and married her first husband, ten years her senior. Believing he would give her the security and love that had been missing from her father, she would eventually be sorely disappointed, feeling the cold and distant emotions of living in an empty marriage.

However, there was an unexpected twist to the story at this time.

Actually there were two. She became pregnant and, during the pregnancy, she contracted measles. Faced with the decision to proceed with the pregnancy or not, she decided to carry to full term and she had a baby boy, Diego.

Myrna believed all was well. Things were temporarily better in her marriage and she believed she was turning a corner and everything was going to be okay. After his first birthday, she was informed her son had been born deaf. Once again, grief and loss came into her life: Separation between her and the ones she loved. Now the world of silence versus sound stood between her, her son and the rest of the Latin world.

Myrna and her husband spent five years trying to “make it work.” She chose to separate from her husband who later reunited with his previous wife. Fortunately, she was working for the Argentine Consulate and began to realize how alone she would be again, only this time, with a son to support. She felt as if the world was caving in and she was going to lose it. In reality, she was losing her self…the little girl inside was cold and alone and now very frightened.

It’s funny how the universe can present opportunity to us when we think there is absolutely no hope at all.

One day, while working at the Consulate, she met a woman who appeared to be so free and confident and self assured that she caught Myrna’s attention. This adventurous woman invited Myrna to travel with her through Europe. After much thought and negotiation with her ex-husband, Myrna decided to join her.

Feeling the empty hole in heart due to the demise of her marriage, she seized the opportunity to move beyond her pain and take the risk– perhaps a moment of taking control – and finally make a decision for herself, by herself and for her own benefit.

Her husband agreed to take care of Diego while she ventured forth to discover the world and find freedom from the pain. She planned to be gone for three months, a much shorter time than the actual year and half she was away.

The two adventurous women, with just enough money in their pockets to pay for their tickets to Paris

Once in Europe, she immediately applied for a job with the Argentinian Embassy, however was told there was a six month delay in her hiring. So, she and her friend set out for Amsterdam where they not only worked in a hotel but also in a Tulip factory. Then when they had saved enough money, they went to Barcelona, Spain and began to look for work.

While in Spain, Myrna was introduced to the Encyclopedia Britannica and began to sell them quite successfully. It was this new found freedom and independence that paved the way to her experience with success. Loss and abandonment did not exist in Europe for the beautiful Myrna. She was on the precipice of change … she was experiencing great joy and it showed.

I can’t imagine the feelings she must have had as she boarded that plane returning to a world that seemed so very distant, perhaps a little set in old world ways compared to the progressive state of Barcelona … so far from her success and growth, on so many levels.

Upon returning to Mexico City, she continued doing what she did best and began selling the encyclopedias in South America, becoming the top sales person for many years running. She made enough money to provide for her son and his special needs, to own her home as well as a cabin in the woods.

She described a typical weekend at this time: “We would finish working on a Friday afternoon, hop a plane to Dallas, TX and then go shopping all weekend only to fly back Sunday night and hit the road running Monday morning,” building sales and a client base that would put most of the account executives I know to shame.

Having experienced several years of growing her business and living the Jet Set lifestyle (most of us only dream about) she began to reassess her life. She had realized that she was still trying to deal with the empty feelings of loss and distance from those she had loved. She sold her business and cabin in the woods, packed up her home in Mexico City and ventured forward to once again define a new path in life.

After the demise of her second marriage, she sought counseling and experienced a greater understanding toward the issues of abandonment and loss that had seemed to permeate her life - no matter how successful she became. She realized in her attempt to conquer these sad feelings, she would cause the men in her life to leave before they could really have a chance to stick around and love her.

The philosophy of Osho seemed to make the most sense to her and she began to dive deep into the act of self-realization, healing all that had been damaged over the act of living more than five decades without her mother’s soft voice for guidance or her father’s strong presence and protection.

When Myrna married for the third time (charmed) and became Mrs. Bonaccorso, it was a greater reward than all the riches she had acquired throughout the years. She had met her match. And she left the jewelry (so to speak) of abandonment and loss on the sofa at the psychiatrists’ offices. She felt victorious and accomplished in ways she never had before. She felt loved.

She experienced enlightenment because she had looked into the dark recesses of her heart and healed the little girl inside, soothed the over-achieving professional and comforted the wise, yet aging woman from within; she was able to experience love to its fullest, without the fear of loss or abandonment as part of the package. As a matter of fact, her words to her husband, Tony, one day when stress was in the air were, “Tony, I will never leave you. No matter what. I will not leave you.”

Myrna has revisited her interest in the Fine Arts and has successfully sold her work through several galleries in the San Diego area as well as Arizona. She is a proud grandmother with great love for her family and continues to share her stories of success and love with her sister who continues to reside in the beautiful country of Argentina. Myrna and the love of her life often travel to Europe. And, she can still tap into that feeling of freedom she had in Spain when she first tasted what it meant to be free of loss and so full of promise.

San Diego Woman Magazine’s PINK PAGES Artist

Victoria Bennett is an Independent College Admissions Advisor located in North San Diego County. She helps students organize for the college application process by creating lists of appropriate schools, brainstorming for and editing essays, consulting on extra-curricular activities, testing and courses, navigating the different applications and being available during the entire application process to answer questions and concerns.

For more information visit Victoria’s site at www.bennettcollegecounseling.com. She can be reached via email at victoria.bennett8006@gmail.com or by phone at 619 993 1613

JoAnn Dutton is a broad spectrum artist... specializing in the construction/fabrication of habitats for life in captivity. This translates to building museum quality simulated rock, trees, vines and other organic features indigenous to a specific species' environment in a zoological setting. After nearly 20 years in the industry, her work can be seen in zoos, natural history museums, aquariums and amusement parks all over the country.

JoAnn is currently a lead with Universal Studios in the hands on construction of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hollywood opening in 2016.Visit her site at www.uniquelydutton.com for more information. JoAnn can be contacted by Phone at 310 924-0025

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Lauren Hanna

JoAnn Dutton

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Vanessa Lurie

Certified Life Coach

Lauren Hanna is an athlete, attorney, and entrepreneur and has worked in brand building and licensing prior to starting her own trademark licensing firm in 1998. Hanna's Company represents and builds brands (e.g. Jack Daniel’s) by developing and implementing strategies for brand extension via trademark licensing. Lauren is also a sponsored triathlete and races for HERevolution Women’s Triathlon Team, participates in many cycling events, and is an avid skier. Lauren shares her passion for fitness and health through her second business as an independent distributor for Lifevantage, Corp., a health and wellness company. For more information visit www.mylifevantage.com/laurenhanna#products. You can also contact Lauren by email at lauren@hannacompany.com or by phone at 858.442.6776

Vanessa Lurie is the mother of three amazing sons, wife of one incredible husband, and Certified Life Coach.

Through individual and group coaching, she helps women who are in their 40's, 50's and 60's transition into their future with ease and self-care. She will lovingly help you achieve your goals, overcome obstacles, step into your power and get what you want out of this next exciting (yes it will be!) phase of your life. Contact Vanessa via email at vanessa@vanessalurie.com or by phone at 858.395.8278

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Concierge

Marcie Laws

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Marcie Laws is a San Diego native that owns a boutique-style Senior care and personal assistant company, Mirabella Care.

As a single mother to an active toddler, and someone that has been involved in Senior and end-of-life care for more than 15 years, she understands the importance of providing quality, reliable, and affordable services to families that are "sandwiched" between raising their children and caring for their elderly parents. Services range from meal preparation to laundry, errands, hands-on Senior Care, and home organization. Marcie loves to hike, cook, and spend time at the beach with her son, Evan. Marcie graduated from Ramona High School and then obtained a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Miami University in Ohio. Visit her site at www.mirabellacare.com or contact her via phone at 858.208.3678 or by email at marcie@mirabellacare.com

Clinical Psychologist

Dental Implant Consultant

Member WEG Real Estate Agent

Dr. Penny Michelle Abrams

home buyers and lenders with vital protection against losses from certain title issues including forgery, fraud, and liens – problems that might limit a homeowner’s use and enjoyment of their property. She works with home buyers/sellers, realtors and lenders.

Kristi specializes in business planning and marketing solutions with agents of all levels and skill sets, assisting clients achieve results in their business development efforts. She proudly represents Title365, offering the very best products and services in the business. She is personally dedicated to providing superior customer service and support to the people she works with, constantly looking for ways to be a valuable member of their team in order to help them achieve their goals and ultimately increase their business. For more information email Kristi at HYPERLINK "mailto:kristi.neal@title365.com"kristi.neal@title365.com or contact her via phone Mobile: 858.752.1115 | Office: 619.564.5600

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Jaime V. Habert Jaime is your key to home ownership. After helping her mother find a home, Jaime fell in love with the field. The ability to make life-long relationships with people while providing a superior service was the catalyst to creating her business. Jaime’s background is varied. From her early days as an Animal Caretaker, to her most recent position as Entertainment Editor for San Diego Woman Magazine, Jaime’s skill set is as diverse as her clientele.

Assisting everyone from first-time homebuyers to established investors, Jaime’s outstanding customer service remains the same. Contact her via phone (858) 829-7891 or e-mail at jaimehabert@rocketmail.com

Dr. Penny Michelle Abrams Is a clinical psychologist (Psy Lic 20753) in La Jolla (UTC), providing individual and couple counseling as well as personal, professional and corporate coaching and high conflict mediation. (sixtyminutesofclarity.com sixtyminutesofclarity@gmail.com)

Title Insurance Sales Kristi Neal Executive Kristi is a sales representative with Title365. Title insurance provides

Cathy Geddes

Cathy Geddes is a Dental Implant Educator and Consultant.

She is also a vacation rental by owner. Her goal is to develop new relationships, build wealth and collaborate to support others in their business endeavors.

Cathy Geddes, CDA, is a credentialed Certified Dental Assistant graduating from George Brown College, Toronto, Canada.

With 30 years of experience in the dental profession she now lectures, sharing her passion to educate those involved in the advancing world of implant dentistry. In 2013 Cathy started her own consulting business called Geddes Solutions. While working with many dental professionals in her career, Cathy saw a need to educate the dental team on how to answer patients’ questions on implants with confidence. For information on Cathy’s Dental consulting firm or Vacation Rentals contact her via email at cathygeddes1@gmail.com

Corporate Sales

Risé Edney, Risé Edney, former corporate sales person, current volunteer extraordinaire, and major people person.

She currently assists her husband in his Business Succession and Estate Planning practice as Brokerage Director with Mass Mutual and as owner of Estate Resource Group, a firm of professionals involved in all aspects of tax planning for successful business owners, their key employees, and their families.

Rise is also an Ambassador for the San Diego County Fair and works with the fairgrounds throughout the year.

A resident of Carmel Valley for almost twenty years, she has embedded herself in the community. having held various business to business sales, and marketing positions throughout North Coastal and Central San Diego County. Rise is considered a center of influence and an excellent referral source who delights in creating partnerships for either business purposes or just helping someone find that “perfect deal”.

To contact Rise email her at HYPERLINK "mailto:raedney@prodigy. net"raedney@prodigy.net or reach her by phone at 858.361.8236

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San Diego

Victoria Bennet

Woman

Admission College Counselor

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English as a Second Language Instructor

Carol Haitin

Carol Haitin is a specialist of TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). Carol has conducted numerous teacher training workshops and developed curriculum for non-English speakers at various universities and community colleges - UC Berkeley, Holy Names University, English Language Institute, La Catolica University, Washington Educational Research Associates, Pasadena City College, to name a few. Most recently she was the coordinator of a federally-funded program to assist amnesty applicants meet educational goals while serving as an adjunct faculty member of Pasadena City College. For more information visit her site at www.efexinstitute.com. Carol can be reached via email at efex.institute@gmail.com. Or by phone at 858.342.9423

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Home Staging and Redesigning

Laurie Itkin

Financial Advisor

Laurie Itkin founded The Options Lady to educate and empower women and couples to take control of their finances, overcome their fears of investing, and grow the money they work so hard to earn. She is also a financial advisor and money manager at Coastwise Capital Group.

Laurie is the author of the Amazon best seller Every Woman Should Know Her Options: Invest Your Way to Financial Empowerment. Laurie graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1990 with a B.S. in economics and a concentration in finance. For more information visit www.theoptionslady.com. You can contact Laurie by email at laurie@theoptionslady.com or by phone at 858 220 4736

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Interior Design

Sophia Segal

Doro Pirino Dorothée Pirino is an allied member of ASID (American Society of Interior Design), she has over 15 years of experience in interior architecture and design. Working with homeowners and developers on new constructions and remodels, Dorothée approaches her work with a client-centric mindset. She listens to her clients to design unique interior spaces that are esthetical, functional and tailored to their needs. She likes to create design solutions that enhance her clients’ lifestyle and sense of well being in their homes. Originally from Belgium, Dorothée is greatly influenced by European design and architecture. To obtain more information email Dorothée at doropirino@gmail.com or contact her by phone at 619.980.6185

Sophia Segal, is a professionally trained and certified designer, and the brains and talent behind Creative Home Styles.

Creative Home Styles is an HSR Certified Professional Home Staging and Interior Redesign company serving San Diego and surrounding areas. Her personal style is exquisite and eclectic and she delights in the many popular genres of home and commercial space designs. Whether you are selling your home and need someone to update it and increase its appeal for prospective home buyers, or perhaps just want a change of atmosphere, give Sophia a call at 858.500.6298 or email her at sophia@creativehomestyles.com. For additional information visit www.creativehomestyles.com

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Lauren Essex

Marketing Strategy

Marriage and Family Therapist

In her 20+ years as a marketing quarterback with Fortune 500 and early stage companies, Lauren has run multinational brands as large as $150M in sales, launched new businesses generating over $75M in sales, and helped take an early stage company public. Her customer-centric approach enables companies large and small to understand their target, build brands and launch go-to-market strategies that have impact in the market. Lauren’s expertise spans technology, consumer products/services, and healthcare with a particular emphasis on marketing to women. To learn more about getting your brand to market, contact: lauren@ tomarketconsulting.com or visit Linkedin/LaurenJEssex.

Member WEG Medical Spa Owner

Dr. Mary Anne Fuchs

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Personal Trainer

Dr. Mary Anne Fuchs is the owner-director of Del Mar Aesthetic Clinic, a full-service medical spa, Through artistic application of the latest non-surgical techniques and technologies, she focuses on achieving “natural" facial sculpting and skin rejuvenation for her clients.

A graduate from UC Santa Barbara (Summa Cum Laude) in 1988, Dr. Fuchs received her MD degree at UC Irvine, followed by specialty training at UCLA and UCSD in Emergency Medicine and Sports Medicine.

Dr. Fuchs founded the Del Mar Aesthetic Clinic in 2009, and has brought together a small team of talented, highly-trained clinicians and staff.

Del Mar Aesthetic Clinic has been designated a ‘Black Diamond’ provider (top 1% in the country) by Allergan, makers of Botox® and Juvéderm®, two years in a row. For more information visit Dr Fuchs’ site at www.delmaraesthetic.com.

You can contact her at drfuchs@delmaraesthetic.com or by phone at 858 259 4772

Naturopathic Medicine

Dr. Kristine Reese

LotusRain Naturopathic Clinic, Inc. At LotusRain we offer Naturopathic Primary Care in a positive, light-filled space. Additional services include IV Therapy, Integrative Oncology, HBOT, and Infrared Sauna. Join us in your pursuit of optimal health by contacting our office via e-mail at dr@drkristinereese.com, via phone at 619-239-LIFE (5433), or visiting us online at www.lotusrainclinic.com. We are located at 5210 Balboa Avenue, Suite F, San Diego, CA 92117.

Optimize your care, your health, your life!

Adrienne Blumberg

Adrienne Blumberg is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who has been working with children, teens, adults and families for over 25 years. She counsel children, families, individual women and men in addition to couples on all issues impacting one’s healthy and productive lifestyle. Adrienne is a member of The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapist (AAMFT) in addition to a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. (CAMFT) Adrienne is also a Registered Play Therapist and proudly holds a membership in the Association of Play Therapy. For more information visit her site at www.adrienneblumbergtherapy.com. She can be reached via email at ablumberg6@gmail.com or by phone at 858.349.1422.

Linda Kennedy

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Linda Kennedy, CSCS, SNC, FMS has been in the fitness industry since 1993 as a fitness expert, public speaker and published author. A former competitive athlete, professional dancer and winning figure competitor, she has appeared on Fox 6 News and been featured in local newspapers for her LEANPower!® Exercise and Nutrition System. She has helped countless clients not only cease using cholesterol and blood pressure medications, detect breast cancer and other diseases, and re-established hormonal balance, but lose over 900 pounds, 350 inches and still going today.

Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Marialyn Sardo MD, FACS The Center for Beauty in La Jolla provides an elite cosmetic experience, from your initial consultation to post-surgical care. If you are considering any cosmetic procedure, Dr. Sardo should be top of your list. With more than 20 years of cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery experience, you can be certain your results will be extraordinary. As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Sardo brings an artistic hand and a woman’s sensitivity to her refined technical skills.

Whether you are considering breast enhancement, reduction or lift, tummy tuck, or are ready for your mommy makeover, Contact The Center for Beauty toll free now for more information and a free consultation at 866-Dr Sardo

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Real Estate Agent

Melissa Cizauskas Melissa has enjoyed a varied and successful career in the Real Estate Industry. She is currently with Keller Williams Realty-Carmel Valley/Del Mar office.

Melissa currently enjoys using her decades of real estate experience in finding homes for buyers and selling homes for her sellers. Melissa is able to provide her valued clients with the very best representation possible to meet your needs. For more information visit her site at www.melissarockssd.com.

Contact Melissa via email at melissarockssd@gmail.com or phone at 858.353.6985

Katie Wilsey is the founder and race director of the Carmel Valley 5K and owner of Wind at your Back, LLC, a company that puts on races aimed at giving runners a fun and unique experience. The races also have a charitable component, as Katie has formed the Wind at Your Back Foundation, which gives to local schools and other great causes. An avid runner herself, Katie frequently runs marathons and other distance events. For more information or to get in contact with Katie, please visit www.carmelvalley5k.com.

Contact Katie at carmelvalley5k@gmail.com or by phone at 858-761-8799

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Restaurants and Cafes

Julie Otto Julie Otto is Unique. She has grown up surrounded by success. Her family has been in the real Estate business for nearly 40 years, and that environment sets her apart.

Her Father is Oakland Raider All Pro member. Julie and her Mother were Relocation Consultants from St.Louis invited to assist the Franchise Move for the Rams in 1995. Julie has excelled assisting clients in the renovation aspect of real estate and also has been a Lender since 2003. Her clients often comment that Julie is Resourceful, Intuitive and Caring. You too will agree.

Julie E Otto CA BRE #01481228 Keller Williams Realty 12780 High Bluff Drive Ste.130 San Diego, CA 92130 858-688-6260 julie@julieotto.com www.julieotto.com

Senior Dating Service Karen Wilson

Grand Tea Room Full service tea room and gift shop. We serve a traditional afternoon tea menu with tea sandwiches, scones, savories, desserts and fresh fruit and an extended menu of soups and salads and a la carte items.

Please visit our website at www.thegrandtearoom.com for pictures of the tea room and our full menu.

Please visit our gift shop for a nice selection of beautiful gifts 145 W. Grand Avenue Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 233-9500 louisam@thegrandtearoom.com

Independent Business Owner Lisa Perlmutter

Karen Wilson was a director of sales for Great Expectations dating service in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego from 1992 to 2007, where she successfully matched hundreds of clients into long-term relationships and marriages. She is currently launching a new matchmaking service in San Diego exclusively for Seniors over the age of fifty, who are seeking long-term relationships. Karen was formerly a music and art teacher for over ten years in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she received her Master's degree in music and fine arts at U.C. Berkeley. Originally born in New York City, Karen attended the High School of Music and Art in Lincoln Center and received a scholarship to the San Francisco Art Institute. For more information contact Karen at kswilson2001@yahoo.com.

Lisa Perlmutter is an Independent Business Owner for the well-known and respected Skincare line Rodan + Fields®.

Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, the creators of Proactiv,® launched Rodan + Fields to extend their vision of bringing dermatology based skincare solutions to everyone.

With Rodan + Fields, looking good and feeling confident has never been easier and it's all possible without a trip to the dermatologist's office. For more information contact Lisa by email at lgperlmutter@gmail.com or by phone at 858.442.1666. Visit www.lperlmutter.myrandf.com for additional information. facebook.com/Skincare Concierge

Member WEG

Geriatric Care Manager

Colleen Van Horn

Member WEG Dermatologist

Dr. Tess Mauricio Dr Tess Mauricio, is a Board Certified Dermatologist, graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine, and a Summa Cum Laude graduate of The University of California San Diego. She is the founder of M Beauty by Dr Tess with multiple clinics in California. She is the youngest woman to hold the position of President of The San Diego Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr Tess is a published author of California Total Beauty, renowned speaker, sought after media personality and has educated thousands across the globe on technologies she has helped pioneer.

She is a favorite medical expert on TV with regular network appearances on the Rachael Ray show, Fox News, CBS' The Doctors, America’s Next Top Model, The Talk and The Dr Oz Show among many local TV show. She produced and stars The Dr Tess Show which in North America and soon globally.

Dr. Tess is married to her Stanford Medical school classmate, business and life partner, Dr. James Lee and they have two children.

Geriatric Care Managers who are RN's and Companion Caregivers that specialize in assisting older people maintain their independence with coordination of care at home. www.innovativehc.com 557 E. Alvarado St. Fallbrook, CA 92028 United States (760) 731-1334 colleenvanhorn@sbcglobal.net

You can contact Dr Tess TOLL FREE at 1(800) 7MBeauty or on the web at www.mbeautyclinic.com

Hospice

LightBridge Hospice and Palliative Care LightBridge Hospice and Palliative Care is the leader in their field, due to their quality of care and expertise in end of life care.

LightBridge is nurse-owned and staffed by qualified hospice professionals, who share their unique vision of supporting patients and families to move through the last stages of life with grace, strength, dignity and hope. Their hospice team includes physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual care counselors, hospice aides, and volunteers. Among their many recognitions for outstanding care, LightBridge has received The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Excellence. They offer programs unique to hospice care including a specialized Veterans program, one for Dementia, The Jewish Ohr Ami Program, Heart to Heart Cardiac Program and Palliative Care. For more information contact LightBridge by Phone: 858.458.2992 or by Email at contact@LightBridgeHospice. com or visit their website: www.lightbridgehospice.com

Mechanical Engineer

Tamara Badkerhanian-Ganev BSE Engineering, Inc. is an award-winning woman-owned, full service and multi-disciplinary Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP) and Energy Engineering (EE) firm with a key focus on energy efficiency and sustainable projects in local, state and federal government sectors. BSE Engineering’s core statement of value is “Designing Your Sustainable Future”.

The firm is a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) by the State of California Department of General Services and a Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) certified by the City of San Diego.

The firm incorporated in San Diego in 1967 and has been continuously providing engineering services in the Southern California Region. BSE engineering has successfully completed over 3500 projects with over 1000 being Prime Contracts with various local, state and federal governmental agencies. The firm’s mechanical Principal-in-Charge is Tamara Badkerhanian-Ganev AScT, LEED AP. Mrs. Ganev has over 25 years’ experience in mechanical engineering for complex buildings and facilities and has demonstrated the project management skills required to lead the design team. www.BSEengineering.com (858) 279-2000 NAWBO MEMBER

San Diego

Real Estate Agent

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Kate Wilsey

Race Director

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Real Estate Agent

Nancy Canfield, Realtor Windermere Homes & Estates 16783 Bernardo Center Dr. San Diego, CA 92128 Ph:619-871-9333 fax: 858-676-1935 http://www.NancyCanfield.com/ CA BRE License # 0138667 Chosen by San Diego Magazine 2010-16 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent "Best in Client Satisfaction!"

Certified Professional Life Coach Erica Marasco Erica Marasco is a Certified Professional Life Coach and Entrepreneur. As a wife, hands on mother of two, and certified reiki healer. In her practice she helps people break free of what’s holding them back in life, and put them on a path to success. Her signature system helps create an individual strategy for every client. Having a thriving, happy, balanced and successful life is everyone’s right, and is possible for everybody. Erica will be your biggest advocate and support system!

Contact Erica at Erica Marasco (C.L.C) Life and wellbeing coach www.ericamarasco.com 619-778-5757- cell erica@ericamarasco.com

Compounding Pharmacy

Registered Naturopathic/Certified Nutritional Consultant Debi Foli RND, CNC

Straight Nutrition

Debi Foli is a Certified Nutritional Consultant (CNC), a diplomat member in good standing of the American Association of Nutritional Consultants, a Registered Naturopathic Diplomat (RND) and a Traditional Naturopath (NP). She is a professional member in good standing of the American Nutrition Association (ANA) and the National Association of Nutritional Professionals (NANP). In her training she studied anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology, nutrition and disease, naturopathic toxicology, blood chemistry, saliva testing, herbology, homeopathy, tissue and cellular detoxification, biology of cancer, endocrinology, contemporary ethics in health care, regulatory and accrediting agencies in health care, and medical terminology. Board Certifications: American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) and American Alternative Medical Association (AAMA). Knowing with first-hand knowledge that solid Straight Nutritional support and counsel can make ALL the difference in your health. Debi Foli has worked in the drugless, natural health and whole food industries since 1991, and is a home-birthing mother of three. She created and launched her practice, Straight Nutrition, in 2002. https://www.facebook.com/StraightNutrition https://twitter.com/StrghtNutrition http://straightnutrition.com/

Designer/Artist

Sonali Soni Sonali DesignStudio Are you looking for a Freelance Artist? Look no further. Sonali is a pro at Logos, brochure design, business identity kits, murals, paintings and layout and design of the simple and complex written materials. As the designer of San Diego Woman Magazine, Sonali meets the challenge each issue to come up with fresh, new and exciting layouts. For more information email her at Sonali@sonalisoni. com or call her at 858 354-5365. No job is too big or small. Give her a call and know your project is in good hands.

La Vita Compounding Pharmacy La Vita Compounding Pharmacy’s promise is to help people live better, longer by personalizing medications made with care, quality and safety. Utilizing advanced genomic and laboratory technology in collaboration with its physicians allows La Vita to stay on the leading edge of patient care. Patent-pending formulations are exclusively offered at La Vita. Proud to be among the 1% of US pharmacies that hold PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) for both sterile and non-sterile compounding. Only SD pharmacy providing exclusive access to insurance coverage of compounded medications through the UCM network (United Compounding Management) allowing personalized medicine to be within reach.

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