St. George Health & Wellness Magazine January/February 2020 by St. George Health & Wellness Magazine

PROJECT 20/20

See Clearly

COVER STORY: St. George Eye Center's Global Vision for the New Year / 14 INSIDE: Keeping Local Healthcare Affordable / 16 Resolution or Goal? / 47 Cycling Without Age / 76

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 SaintGeorgeWellness.com

Your pain-free life starts here. Areas we specialize in include:

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Fitness

Keeping Local Healthcare Affordable.....16 Ride Bikes, Have Fun..............................18 Could Walking Faster Help You Live Longer?......................21

Nutrition

Dining Guide........................................22 Restaurant Journeys: Angelica's Mexican Gill.....................23 Nutritional 20/20 Vision.......................24

Health Functioning High While Feeling Low: A Health Story for Men......................34 Radiofrequency Ablation: What is it and How Can it Help Back Pain?.........36 Inflammation, Infections, Toxins and Alzheimer's Disease........................38 Ask Stapley Pharmacy............................41 Neurofeedback Centers of Utah............42 This is One Secret We Refuse to Keep......44 Resolution or Goal?................................47 Are You Considering a Knee Replacement Surgery?................48 The Healthcare Crisis: Where Do We Go From Here?.........50 Mind-Full or Mindful?...........................52 Get on the Path to Healing and Recovery from Depression..........54 With Cytokines, You Can Play Pickleball like a Boss Again...............56 What is Nerve Entrapment?....................58

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 On the Cover: Project 20/20: See Clearly........................................14

Family

The Way Home......................................72 Angels Arrived..........................................74 Cycling Without Age..............................76 Are You Mindful?....................................81 Love Shouldn't Hurt...............................82 Youth Diaries: Why Dream Small When Life is so Big?..............................85 Using the Alphabet to Reduce Stress.......86

Culture

Still Standing.........................................26 From the Streets of Los Angeles to the Red Hills of St. George...........29 Buy Local: Jones Paint & Glass.............30 Non-Profit Highlight: Socks for Souls...................................32

Mind/Body

Emotional Discipline.............................60 Healing Corner: Awakened Soul...........62 A New Vision for the New Year.............64 Connection Through Meditation..........67

Economics Stability for Challenging Times: The Benefits of Permanent Life Insurance....68 I Found My House! Now What?..............70 Wagons and Wills, Jets and Trusts..........71

Departments

Mayoral Message........................................8 Trailblazer Nation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Letter from the President....................10 Rocky Vista Message â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Letter from the Dean...........................12 Calendar of Events..................................88

The way we talk about sexual violence matters. Our words can be used to foster a culture of safety, respect, and equality that stops sexual violence before it happens. Or to show support for survivors, shutdown harmful misconceptions, promote consent, and to practice healthy communication with children. Our voices matter now more than ever. How will you use yours to help end sexual assault, harassment, and rape? DOVE Center is our local resource for those who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual assault. DOVE can help. Please reach out. 4 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

BACK PAIN NECK PAIN ARTHRITIS MIGRAINES SHINGLE PAIN FIBROMYALGIA COMPRESSION FRACTURE STEM CELL THERAPY

Joanne Abegglen NP

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 5

M E E T O U R S TA F F

Justin Osmond Editor

Kristi Osmond Editor

Erin Taylor Creative Director

Lyman Hafen

JR Martin, MS, MMS, PA-C Author, Health Section

Bentley Murdock Author, Nutrition Section

Tiffany Gust, CPT Author, Fitness Section

Chad Olson, MS, LMFT Author, Family Section

Jasher Feellove Author, Mind/Body Section

Brigit Atkin Author, Mind/Body Section

Kelly Kendall

Marianne Hamilton

Todd Johnson Author, Economics Section

Jessica Elgin Author, Economics Section

Richard Harder Author, Health/Active Aging Section

W. Jared DuPree, PhD, MBA Executive Editor

Author, Family Section - Fatherhood Series

Author, Family Section - Stories from our Past Series

Author, Culture Section - Community Focus Series

For information on advertising or other inquiries, visit our website at www.saintgeorgewellness.com, email stgeorgewellnessmagazine@gmail.com or call us at 435-319-0273. The publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of the articles in St. George Health & Wellness Magazine. The information contained within has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on this material. Appropriate professional advice should be sought before making decisions. Outside of our staff authors, articles written by providers or professionals are invited authors and represent the opinions of that particular individual, business, group or organization. If an article is a paid advertisement, we will place the word “Advertisement” or “Advertorial” to identify it as such. ©Copyright 2018.

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FROM THE EDITOR

Happy New Year from our family to yours! We love that we are in 2020 now, as it is appropriate to reflect back with eyesight being 20/20 on all that the past year(s) have taught us and move forward into this new year and new decade with the vision and insights that we have gained. 2019 was another tough year for us, but it also brought many more blessings than trials. We are incredibly grateful for the rainbows at the end of our storms. A few of our bigger challenges this year: Kristi still recovering from her concussion and getting a tonsillectomy and sinus surgery; Justin getting a continuous glucose monitor to help regulate his blood sugar from his type 1 diabetes; one of our little girls having another scary seizure and searching for more answers; and yet another flood in our basement. We are learning a lot about patience, resilience, and trying to figure out what we can learn and do better for 2020. Surely you have your own similar struggles and can relate. One thing we are wanting to change and do better for this year is taking better control and charge of our family’s health! It’s not enough to go to doctors and expect that they can always point us in the right direction and fix our problems. They are great tools and we need them, too. However, we need to listen to our bodies and take better care and responsibility for doing that ourselves. This includes being open and talking to others who’ve experienced similar circumstances. We can learn a lot from each other. Researching is another great tool. We always love the articles in this magazine and know that there’s such a wealth of information given that helps so many people. We are constantly being stopped and thanked for the quality of the articles and information in this magazine. We are so grateful to be a part of this. So as we start this new year, we commit to being better advocates for our own health. We hope you’ll join us in that endeavor as well. The church we attend recently started a new goal setting program that includes choosing goals in four areas in which we can improve. Those areas are spiritual (could include meditation and yoga), social, physical, and intellectual. This goes along well with what we cover in this magazine as well, and we look forward to improving in each of these areas. Reflecting back—not dwelling—on our past helps us learn important lessons and gain rich experience from them. Let’s not let past hurts, disappointments, set-backs, circumstances, or challenges get in the way of our progress. Instead, let’s use the difficulties we have experienced and the lessons we have learned to launch us forward. Let’s make 2020 our best year yet. We wish you all the very best and the most prosperous new year. And we sincerely thank all those who contribute to this magazine, making it such a great resource for all of us—especially for our family! Justin & Kristi Osmond Editors

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 7

MAYO R A L M E S S AG E

The Empire Strikes Back was a huge hit with me and many other moviegoers. The Miracle on Ice stirred patriotic feelings nationwide. The Pittsburgh Steelers had just won their fourth Super Bowl in six years. It was 1980, significant because that was the year the City of St. George began operating in its current City Hall building, located at 175 East 200 North.

It was, and is, a great home base for our city operations. It was built to handle the services of the approximately 12,000 residents and had room to spare for the inevitable growth of St. George. Yet who would have known that forty years later, we would have about 90,000 residents? By any measure, we have outgrown our current building. But instead of starting over at a new location, our City Hall is staying put—and undergoing a significant expansion and facelift. It’s a daunting task, but it’s the most fiscally responsible way forward for us. Support Services Director Marc Mortensen has worked tirelessly with JRCA architects to come up with a plan that will expand the capacity of our city campus to handle the increased needs of our citizenry. This will be accomplished in three phases: • Phase 1A consists of relocating our 911 Communication Center from the Police Headquarters building to City Commons across the street. The new location provides great operating space for a team that dispatches emergency personnel countywide. • Phase 1B involves the expansion of the main city parking lot, done primarily with the construction of a two-level parking garage immediately west of City Hall. We are also adding spaces to the west of the Police Headquarters. All told, we will have a net increase of approximately seventy-nine parking spaces.

• Phase 2 is an expansion of the main City Hall. Our lobby area will see a vast upgrade to accommodate a new 311 Customer Service Center. It will be easier to access the department you seek as it will have a more intuitive layout. This phase includes expanded office space and a larger and more versatile Council Chambers. The building will also be much more secure after hours. • Phase 3 involves expansion of the Police Headquarters, with larger work spaces for our Investigations, Patrol, and Records divisions. We will build out to the east of the building where a small parking lot currently exists.

During the renovation project, City of St. George personnel who work at City Hall will be moved to one of two locations, the sites to be determined shortly. I wish I could tell you right now just exactly where they will be, but we are waiting for the agreements to become official. Our Communications and Marketing Director, David Cordero, will help spread information to you the moment it becomes available.

Our goal is for this expansion to last decades into the future, giving us the infrastructure to tackle our expanding population for years to come. Who knows? Maybe they will still be making Star Wars movies in forty years when I’m ninety-four years old! If so, I hope to be there with you watching the Jedi win once and for all!

Jon Pike

Mayor, City of St. George 8 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

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Promoting the success of underserved and underrepresented students, faculty, and staff isn’t just a key component of Dixie State University’s strategic plan, it’s an initiative we take very seriously. The upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day presents the perfect opportunity to pause and reflect on the inclusive environment we value here at the university. In fact, 21 percent of our students are minorities. Furthermore, 43 percent of our degree-seeking students are first-generation college students, meaning they’re the first members of their families to attend college. This diversity offers our students the opportunity to grow and learn from peers who have different backgrounds than their own. To foster the success of our minority students, we have recently restructured our Multicultural & Inclusion Center to offer more activities and better connect students with the Student Success Center and other resources on campus. For example, Dixie State is hosting an entire weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day festivities. To kick off the celebration, we will host a West African performance group on campus at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17. Then at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, the MLK Gala will take place in the Zion Room on the fifth floor of the Holland Centennial Commons. In addition to a great dining experience, the evening will feature student group performances and a keynote address from Dr. Barbee Myers Oakes, the chief diversity officer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Tickets are $20 and proceeds will benefit student scholarships within DSU’s Multicultural & Inclusion Center. Building off Dr. King’s belief that “The time is always right to do what is right,” Dixie State is sponsoring its MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, to encourage students and

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the community to “Dream. Believe. Do.” As part of this day of service, DSU is partnering with Bella Terra medical residence, Family Support Center, Switchpoint community resource center, and Conserve Southwest Utah to offer the opportunity to have a "day on, not a day off" and lend a helping hand to some of the organizations that make Trailblazer Nation a great place to live. To join us for the MLK Gala or Day of Service, please register at mic.dixie.edu. Richard “Biff” with Williams Later in the month, we will celebrate diversity Miss President of Dixie Native Dixie. In its 25th year, the pageant will feature Dixie State University students sharing Native American talents, wearing traditional garb, and speaking their native languages in an educational evening of majestic storytelling and cultural celebration. The pageant will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, in the Gardner Center Ballroom and admission is free.

When students see themselves in a variety of events across campus and in curriculum, it helps them feel connected to campus and community. Please consider joining our students at these events as they spread Dr. King’s message of hope, love, and acceptance. These efforts truly make it a great day to be a Trailblazer.

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Future Community: Corner of Washington Parkway and East Telegraph Ave in Washington St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 11

ROCKY VISTA UNIVERSITY MESSAGE

The holiday season was a wonderful occasion to take some days off work and spend quality time with loved ones. The time spent with family and friends helped me get recharged and reoriented in life with the things that matter most. We all have goals— whether they are career goals, health goals, relationship goals, or financial goals. The New Year is typically the time when we commit or re-commit to these goals with what we call resolutions. It is a great start to a new year. However, shouldn’t we be thinking about these important things much more frequently in our lives than once a year? Our thoughts and actions often define who we are as people. Sometimes we are thoughtless in our words and actions, which may lead to regret, remorse, or sadness. If we were deliberate and intentional in every action we took, I’m sure our lives would look quite different. Could I do this all the time? No way! Personally, it would be nearly impossible for me to be deliberate and intentional about every single thought, word, and action on a daily basis, but I could do it several times a day. Each one of us could do this with something called mindfulness. Mindfulness is about being deliberately “in the moment.” It gives us the opportunity to focus on intentional thoughts and actions. Being mindful a few times a day about what is happening around you and inside you may help you reach your goals. It could also bring some peace, joy, and motivation in small amounts every day. In this issue, Emily Anderson, one of our third year medical students, writes a fun article about mindfulness. Her article takes us on a “word walk” as she shares important points about how we can enrich our lives by being mindful versus having our minds full. I invite you to read the article and learn with us! We are honored to be a member of this amazing community, and we look forward to being of continued service. To learn more about our osteopathic medical school, please visit our website at www.rvu.edu. To your health,

David J. Park, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP Vice-President and Dean of the Southern Utah Campus

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 13

PROJECT 20/20:

See Clearly By Nicholas L. Behunin, MD

About the Author

Dr. Behunin is a boardcertified ophthalmologist at the St. George Eye Center. He specializes in the treatment of eye diseases including cataract, glaucoma, corneal transplants, and refractive surgery.

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What does seeing 20/20 mean? In the eye clinic, 20/20 vision refers to normal vision while standing twenty feet from the eye chart. If someone has 20/100 vision, he or she must stand twenty feet from the chart to see what a person with normal vision can see at one hundred feet. An abnormality in any structure of the eye can result in blurred vision. Some causes of impaired vision are treatable or preventable. As we begin the year of 2020, let us reflect on what is clouding our vision.

Global Impact of Visual Impairment The global burden of poor vision is staggering. According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 2.2 billion people worldwide have vision impairment or blindness.1 Of these, more than one billion live with treatable or preventable eye diseases but lack access to adequate eye care.1 The ramifications of poor vision are serious: Up to sixty percent of blind children die within one year, and blind adults have their lives cut short by one third compared to their sighted peers.1 Lost productivityâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

including the loss of workforce to care for visually impaired family members—reaches into the trillions annually.1

What Can We Do to Help? Part of the problem with eradicating global visual impairment is that there are too few eye doctors and surgeons, especially in impoverished areas of the world where the need is greatest. A 2015 study showed that while the United States had 54.7 ophthalmologists per one million population, many poor countries had only one or two ophthalmologists per million.2 At the St. George Eye Center, our team of eye surgeons and specialists are committed to the highest level of care for all patients in every walk of life, both locally and globally. Our doctors take time frequently to serve in remote and under-served areas of the world. In addition to performing surgeries, they also provide education and support for physicians in order to increase their capacity and competency. Working closely with our outreach partners, we are able to provide charity care for members of our

own community in Washington County. When you support the St. George Eye Center, you help provide care for global communities at home and abroad.

The Metaphor Of course, there is a lot more to seeing clearly than having good vision. I learned this while working as an intern at a veterans hospital in Arizona. I was tasked with caring for the meanest man in the world. My every effort was focused on helping him overcome a serious illness, and he hated me for it. He yelled at me daily, called me names, and even spat on me. I came to dread our interactions and secretly looked forward to the day I would move to a different rotation. During my final week at the veterans hospital, a new attending physician took the lead of our morning rounds. The first patient of the day was my mean patient. I presented a summary of his care plan, and

we prepared to enter his room. The entire team braced for the onslaught. However, the new team leader stood at attention in his doorway, offered a polished military salute, and said, “Thank you, sir, for your service to our country!” I expected to hear incoming artillery fire from the patient, but for the first time in many weeks, his meanness softened slightly. I came to realize that I had not seen my patient for who he really was: a soldier, a defender of freedom, a man of valor. I was blinded by impatience and selfishness. This experience taught me to see more clearly the goodness and value of each individual. In the spirit of curing global blindness and in celebration of this new year of 2020, we invite you to see more clearly. At the St. George Eye Center, we can help optimize your vision. However, it is up to you to see the world—and the people in it—for who they really are.

1. World Health Organization: World Report on Vision. Accessed 12/2/2019 at: https://www.who.int/publications-detail/world-report-on -vision; 2. Resnikoff S, Lansingh VC, Washburn L, et al Estimated number of ophthalmologists worldwide. British Journal of Ophthalmology Published Online First: 02 July 2019. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2019-314336

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 15

Keeping Local Healthcare Affordable By Amey Vance Rising healthcare costs continue to make headlines across the nation. Yet, in southwest Utah at Intermountain Dixie Regional Medical Center, strategies to keep healthcare affordable—while still delivering the best possible outcomes for patients—are helping keep costs lower.

“We are very fortunate to have Dixie Regional Medical Center in our community,” said Brian Chadaz, Dixie Regional board chair. “Dixie’s inpatient care costs compare well nationally; they are at or lower than the national average in nearly all categories and significantly lower than nearby southern Nevada. Dixie Regional’s inpatient care costs also compare well with other Utah hospitals.” Dixie Regional’s charges are actually lower than similarly sized non-Intermountain Healthcare hospitals in all procedure categories measured by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Hospital Compare website. Evaluated categories include heart attack, hip and knee replacements, heart failure, and pneumonia. Consumers can go to https://www.medicare. gov/hospitalcompare to compare hospitals on a variety of measures, including cost. “Intermountain is known to be a significant factor in Utah having the lowest per-capita healthcare costs in the United States,” said Intermountain Board Chair Gail Miller. “The team at Dixie Regional has done a tremendous job with affordability, access to care for patients, and service to the community.”

“Our goal is to keep people healthy by helping them avoid medical problems that can impair quality of life and drive costs up,” said Intermountain CEO Dr. 16 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

Marc Harrison. “We use best practices and evidence-based medicine to consistently deliver the best possible clinical outcomes without variation that can increase cost. Our caregivers in southern Utah are doing a great job in helping meet this goal.” Some of the specific ways Intermountain is addressing cost of care include:

Increasing Affordability of Generic Drugs In an effort to keep hospital medications available and affordable, the not-for-profit generic drug manufacturer and distributor, Civica Rx, was launched in 2018 by Intermountain and other national health systems and philanthropies. Civica Rx provides low-cost, frequently used generic drugs to participating hospitals, including Dixie Regional. Making Procedures Shoppable “Knowing beforehand how much a medical service or procedure will cost results in a reduction of costs,” said Mitchell Cloward, administrator of Dixie Regional. “This year, Intermountain will begin using a new pricing program for many inpatient and outpatient services that people commonly use and seek price quotes for, such as delivering babies, imaging procedures, and colonoscopies.” Today, SelectHealth members can use an innovative and informative online cost-estimator tool.

Focusing on Preventative Care Reimagined Primary Care is an Intermountain team-based care model that focuses on preventative care to keep patients well. The model already has about 31,000 patients enrolled and has seen impressive results, such as a 60 percent decrease in hospital admissions and a 35 percent decrease in emergency department admissions, while at the same time improving health outcomes for individuals. Addressing Social Determinants of Health Social determinants of health are factors in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that impact well-being and quality of life. They include food, transportation, housing, utilities, interpersonal violence, social support, and access to health services. Intermountain has initiated a three-year project in Washington County and Ogden to connect people with complex medical, behavioral, and social needs to local partners and outreach programs.

Providing Access to Care in Lower-Cost Settings “We are providing ways to reduce unnecessary, higher-cost emergency room visits,” Cloward said, “by increasing access to appropriate care in lower-cost settings such as InstaCares (urgent care clinics), physician offices, and Connect Care.” Connect Care is a 24/7 online service for $59 (or less depending on insurance) that allows patients to receive lowlevel but urgent care from Intermountain caregivers via smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Brian Chadaz, DRMC Board Chair

Negotiating Supply Discounts “When Intermountain reduces its costs for supplies and drugs, it can in turn directly lower charges to patients for those items,” Chadaz said. “Intermountain successfully negotiated better prices on supplies last year that resulted in more than $32 million in cost savings.”

Mitch Cloward, DRMC Administrator

Uniting with Strong Community Leadership “Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes and sustainable costs,” Chadaz said. “Because Intermountain is not-for-profit, revenue is further invested at Dixie Regional in extraordinary services like Intermountain Precision Genomics, intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement. In addition, hundreds of hospital volunteers give their time, and the philanthropic support the hospital receives from our community through our foundation is incredible. Together, we are helping offer high-quality healthcare at the most affordable price.”

Marc Harrison, IHC CEO

Gail Miller, IHC Board Chair

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 17

Ride Bikes. Have Fun. By Jay Bartlett As winter set in, I found myself heading to the gym to train for an event that’s months away. I don’t hate the gym by any means, but it is a far cry from hopping on my trusty steed and mountain biking my cares away! With short days and cold weather the norm, it has to be done in order to keep from suffering too badly in races and to make a good showing (i.e. have fun) in the year’s coming events. Training can feel at times like drudgery when compared to the light-hearted, less intense rides at the end of fall. Recently, though, I attended the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships, where an (almost) insane amount of fun was being had by even those who were vying for a podium position. It was definitely an “adult” type of event since drinking “sports” beer and taking whiskey shots from squirt guns not only happened but was encouraged! Silliness abounded on course, with a green Jell-O pit, a fire barrier, and a fifth-wheel trailer that had a hole cut in the back that racers had to run through to complete a lap. What struck me, though, was that no one seemed to take themselves too seriously, despite the course changing randomly and rules, at times, being completely ignored. I’ve not heard so much laughing from people who were definitely putting in some hard laps. And there were a bunch of folks who had no chance of winning but were riding around in the mud and sand in costumes, being nutty just for the pure joy of it all! At its heart, cycling is about having fun. When we rode bikes as kids, we didn’t worry about our times on Strava. We rode because it felt so cool, it gave us freedom, and we just plain liked it. Some would say that pushing your hardest through a race is not fun, but the endorphin high afterwards is the fun payoff. Actually, most bike rides are not even races or training. When you put racing aside, you can see many aspects of riding that are designed to produce fun. Group rides, for instance, are just as much about socializing as riding, with frequent stops to chat or share the stoke of the last section of trail. Then there are bike festivals—a fun time where like-minded bike people converge on an area to sample some new trails, play games (such as hooking a log to a bike and seeing who can pull it the farthest), eat food, talk shop, and have some laughs. Having a tough day at work can be smoothed out with a nice, leisurely lunch-hour ride. The feel of tires smooshing through the fallen autumn leaves can be quite relaxing, and a little bit of fun at lunch can 18 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

do worlds of good for your attitude during the rest of the work day. One of my favorite fun rides is the “picnic” ride. Stop by your favorite sandwich shop, pack a can of your preferred beverage and maybe some yummy snacks, and head for the hills. Ride to a beautiful spot (not hard to find in our area) and sit down for a lunch break. These days, we live in a world where the news is mostly bad and outlooks can be bleak. We all need to be able to decompress, relax, and really just get away from it all to keep our sanity intact. The good news is that there’s an answer: Ride bikes. Have fun!

About the Author

Mountain bike veteran, amateur filmmaker, and endurance racer Jay Bartlett has been riding trails in the St. George area for over twenty years. Jay has nearly a decade of experience as a bike mechanic at Bicycles Unlimited, St. George’s oldest bike shop.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 19

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By Tiffany K. Gust, MS, CISSN LiVe Well Center Exercise Physiologist Recent studies have shown that “walking pace is associated with all-cause mortality risk, but its specific role—independent from the total physical activity a person undertakes—has received little attention until now” (Stamatakis, 2018). Walking can provide us with many benefits and can help address many health issues, including diabetes, inflammation, peripheral artery disease, colon cancer, depression, vascular stiffness, blood pressure, mental stress, obesity, cholesterol, and dementia. The protective effects of walking pace were found by the University of Sydney to be more pronounced in older age groups. Average-pace walkers sixty years of age or over experienced a 46 percent reduction in risk of death from cardiovascular causes, and fast-pace walkers experienced a 53 percent reduction. Walking pace or gait speed can be used as a fitness assessment tool and provide a pre-injury baseline. A forty-year research study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association ( JAMA) found that lifelong walking speed may have a direct link to overall health and cognitive function. How Fast Should I Walk? "A fast pace is generally five to seven kilometers per hour, but it really depends on a walker's fitness levels,” said Emmanuel Stamatakis, a researcher from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Center and School of Public Health. “An alternative indicator is to walk at a pace that makes you slightly out of breath or sweaty when sustained.” Get an idea of how fast you are currently walking by using a stopwatch or walking app. Increase your speed gradually using intervals of ten to sixty seconds as tolerated. You can time yourself doing a task, such as walking to the mailbox or to the end of the street, and then try to beat your time.

Could Walking Faster Help You

Live Longer? PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Tiffany Gust, MS, CISSN EDUCATION

B.S. Health Science Utah State University, 1990 M.S. Exercise Science/Sports Nutrition Concordia University of Chicago, 2018

What is the Best Gait Speed for Longevity? • A speed of 1.8 mph is the median walking pace for those age sixty-five and older. • A speed of 2.2 mph suggests healthier aging. • Speeds of 2.7 mph indicate an “exceptional life expectancy.” • Seniors who walked fifteen minutes a day (ninety minutes a week) over eight years enjoyed a 14 percent lower death rate than their inactive counterparts. Walking speed is an authentic vital sign, so work your way up to a more energetic pace. Start where you are, and don’t compare yourself to others. Set small goals each week, and break your walking into smaller chunks of time as needed. Find an “accountability buddy” to keep you on track with your goals. Show up for yourself by taking that first step. It will pay off in the long run (or walk)! For more information on Functional Fitness Assessment tools, contact the LiVe Well Center at 435-251-3793.

Owner, TG Triathlon and Fitness Coaching & Exercise Physiologist at LiVe Well Center

tiffany.gustcoaching | 435-251-3733

CERTIFICATIONS

USAT Certified Triathlon Coach US Master’s Swim Coach ACE Certified Personal Trainer Weight Management Specialist Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist Certified International Society of Sports Nutrition

RECOGNITION

World National Olympic Distance Age Group Qualifier - 2012, 2014, 2016 Ironman All World Athlete - 2015, 2016 16 X Ironman Finisher

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 21

Dining Guide St. George

Magleby’s

1450 Hilton Dr, St George, UT 84770 | (435) 574-0059 American, Cafe | Healthy | $$ Mon-Sat 11am – 9pm | Closed Sunday

MAGLEBY’S HAS BEEN A FAVORITE FOR 30 YEARS! Enjoy your next meal with us at our original Springville restaurant or our new St George location. A Prime-Grade steakhouse with all of your favorite cuts including Rib Eye, New York, and petite Filet Medallions. Their hearty lunches are designed to make sure you don’t leave hungry. The old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day rings true at Magleby’s, with options like All-You-Can-Eat Gourmet French Toast and sides like homestyle homefries, they will make you a believer too!

Angelica’s Mexican Grill

101 E St. George Blvd - St. George UT 84770 | 435.628.4399 Mexican | Vegetarian/Vegan Options | Healthy | Family Friendly | $ Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-8:30pm / Fri-Sat 11:00am-9:00pm - Closed Sunday’s Located Downtown on St. George Boulevard, Angelica’s Mexican Grill serves fresh, made from scratch authentic Mexican food. The flavor driven and nationally recognized menu provides everything and more that you would expect from a Mexican restaurant, including street tacos, Mulitas, Tortas, Sweet Carnitas, Machaca, and their famous salsa bar. Vegan and Vegetarian dishes are always available. Seating is available inside and also outside on the spacious patio. Catering & To-Go ordering available.

Red Fort Cuisine of India

148 S 1470 E, ST. GEORGE, UT 84790 | 435.574.4050 Indian | Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten Free Options | Healthy | Family Friendly | $$ Open Mon-Thur 11:30am-9:00pm - Fri-Sat 12:00pm-10:00pm - Closed Sundays Located in the shopping and dining hub just north of St. George Boulevard, Red Fort Indian Cuisine is the only authentic Indian restaurant in St. George. The flavors are unique and harmonious, and many of their menu items are vegan, vegetarian or gluten free. Stop by and experience the delicious flavors of authentic East India. The elegant and inviting atmosphere paired with their kind and friendly staff, is sure to provide for a relaxing, enjoyable dining experience.

Benja’s Thai and Sushi

2 W St. George Blvd. #12, St. George, UT 84770 | 435.628.9538 Thai | Sushi | $$ Mon. – Sat. 11am – 10pm | Sun. 1pm – 8pm Hungry for sushi? Hungry for Thai curries? Benja’s Thai and Sushi, in the heart of downtown at Ancestor Square, will satisfy your craving with fresh sushi, curries, noodles and a great beer and wine menu. Stop in with business colleagues, friends, a date or the whole family, and be sure to come hungry – in addition to curries, noodles and sushi, Benja’s salads, soups and sticky mango rice are not to be missed.

Pizza/Pasta Factory

Cappeletti’s

36 E. Tabernacle, St. George, UT 84770 | 435.986.4119 Italian | Steak | Seafood | Contemporary | $$ Lunch: Tues. – Sat. 11am – 3pm | Dinner: 5pm – 9:30pm Centrally located in historical downtown near Town Square, Cappeletti’s is a favorite for casual business lunches, friend and family gatherings and romantic evening dining. Authentic Italian pastas like gnocchi Bolognese or cannelloni will comfort and satisfy, but if you’re not in the mood for pasta, the fresh fish of the day, tender Black Angus flat iron steaks, market fresh meats and poultry are all prepared daily and presented beautifully. In this quaint and cozy family owned and operated restaurant, plan to settle in for warm, friendly Italian cuisine with an Argentinian flair, and leave satiated in body and soul.

Pasta Factory: 2 W St. George Blvd #8, St. George, UT 84770 | 435.674.3753 Pizza Factory: 2 W St. George Blvd #8, St. George, UT 84770 | 435.628.1234 Pizza Factory Express: 1930 W Sunset Blvd, St George, UT 84770 | 435.634.1234 Pizza Factory – Pineview: 2376 E Red Cliffs Dr., St. George, UT 84790 | 435.688.2656 Pizza/Pasta/Dine-in/Take out/Delivery/Salad Bar | $$ Open Mon-Sat at 11am The Pasta Factory, with its year-round, climate controlled outdoor patio dining wows with custom-made pasta, soups, sandwiches and salads. The Pizza Factory offers three locations with the best and freshest salad bar in town; homemade soups, sandwiches, famous bread twists and Southern Utah’s favorite pizza combinations.

The Painted Pony

2 W St. George Blvd. #22, St. George, UT 84770 | 435.634.1700 Steakhouse | Seafood | Contemporary | Healthy | $$$$ Lunch: Mon. – Sat. 11:30am – 4pm Dinner: Sun 4pm – 9pm | Mon. – Sat. 4pm – 10pm In the heart of Ancestor Square, the Painted Pony delights with an upscale menu, full beer and wine list, cocktails and exceptional service. Prepare for a sensory experience with complex flavors, top-notch presentation and a beautiful atmosphere. Evening ambiance complete with soft lighting, fresh flowers and patio dining. Locally sourced, organic, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available for every palate.

Twenty-Five Main Café

25 Main Street, St. George, UT 84770 | 435.628.7110 Café | Coffee Shop | Gourmet Cupcakes | $ Mon. – Thurs. 8am – 9pm | Fri. – Sat. 8am – 10pm Visitors step from the streets of St. George to an atmosphere reminiscent of a Soho cafe when they stop by this counter-style downtown gem for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Delectable salads, panini sandwiches done to perfection, and pasta are the featured menu items, but most diners frequent the café for its cupcakes. Twenty-Five Main is perfect for a business lunch or breakfast, a get-together with friends or a quiet spot to relax in the evening before absorbing the downtown art-walk in St. George.

Katering Koncepts, Inc. – Full Service Catering & Event Rentals 1495. S. Black Ridge Dr. Suite A-210 St. George Utah, 84790 | (435) 574-0059

Menus include: Buffet Options, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizers and Gourmet Lunch Boxes | $$ Call Katering Koncepts when it just has to be Perfect! We will customize any menu just for your event. Serving the St. George and surrounding Southern Utah areas. Katering Koncepts sets a new standard in private, corporate and wedding events. We have a full line of rentals including tables, chairs, linens, formal dishware, decorations, dance floors, tents, serving dishes and many other items to help make your event a success. Call us or visit our website at www.kateringkoncepts.com for a complete list.

22 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

NUTRITION

RESTAURANT JOURNEYS:

ANGELICA'S MEXICAN GRILL By SGHW Staff Whether you’re a seasoned local or visiting southern Utah for the first time, word gets around - Angelica’s Mexican Grill cannot be missed! People make the trek from around the globe to eat there, with visitors stopping in to grab a bite from as far away as Australia to Japan.

The success of this modest establishment should come as no surprise. Growing up in Mexico City, Angelica’s owner Angelica Lancaster spent much of her time with her grandmother who loved to cook. They would go to the local markets every day to buy fresh meat, herbs, and vegetables for the meals they planned to prepare. Angelica was inspired by those memories and flavors of her childhood and used them to create her own unique dish: Angelica’s Special: 2 flat corn tortillas filled with grilled bell peppers and onions, seasoned carne asada, and topped with loads of melted cheese.

When you arrive, place your order at the counter, then seat yourself. They have plenty of indoor seating, as well as a nice, shaded outdoor patio. The staff at Angelica’s are friendly and welcoming, and can help you decide what to order when you can’t make up your mind on what sounds best, because it ALL sounds best. Menu items are ordered A la Carte, and include tacos, burritos, carne asada platters, and quesadillas. Choose from Carne Asada, Carnitas, Machaca, Pollo Asado, Chile Verde, and Sweet Carnitas - or go vegetarian with grilled veggies and cheese. My go-to meat choice is the Machaca. It’s always perfectly seasoned and seared quickly

Daily Lunch Specials $7.95 each (available until 5pm - comes with rice and beans and choice of meat)

Monday: 4 Small Tacos Tuesday: Mulita Wednesday: Quesadilla Thursday: Burrito Friday: 2 Regular Tacos

on the flattop, bringing out all the delicious authentic flavors.

One of my favorite things about Angelica’s is their beans and rice. The pinto beans are served whole, and are hearty and packed with flavor - the rice light, fluffy, and perfectly spiced. Add your own toppings at their fresh salsa bar, where they have several choices of salsa, shredded cabbage, and the traditional chopped onions and cilantro.

If any day deserves tacos more than another, it would Monday’s. Whoever invented Taco Tuesday must have never had to transition from weekend to workweek, but Angelica’s gets it. Few things in this world can make you forget about your worries and cares like four of those little lovelies can. Stop by next time a Monday rolls around, or try another one of their daily specials!

Angelica’s is also perfect for families! Kids love the menu choices (and the treat!) and parents love that it won’t break the bank.

Kids Menu $3.95 each

(children under 12 only - comes with rice and beans, drink and a treat) 1 Small Taco (with choice of meat)

Bean & Cheese Burrito Kids Cheese Quesadilla

Angelica’s is a great choice for groups, families, or a casual date night. Their made from scratch menu is small, but with more than enough options to appease everyone’s appetite. With vegetarian options, catering, patio seating, and dine-in beer served, Angelica’s is THE place you can count on for tasty, authentic Mexican food.

101 E St. George Blvd St. George - 84770 435.628.4399

Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, Closed Sundays

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 23

NUTRITION

NUTRITIONAL

VISION

By Bentley Murdock

We’re all surrounded by people who love and care for us and who show that love in many different ways—especially around holidays, celebrations, parties, and get-togethers. Our friends and family members mean well and are invariably doing the best they can with whatever it is they have. However, we must keep in mind that we all have uniquely different nutritional needs, dietary restrictions, allergies, goals, and lifestyle preferences. Most people are not sensitive to (or even aware of ) this fact, and when we gather as families, organizations, and communities, many of us silently struggle as we survey the spread of food options available. For a hundred different reasons, countless people find it most difficult to maintain their dietary and nutritional goals during family celebrations and holidays. Consider, for example, your nutritional and exercise goals over the last few months and how relational and associational influences have played a role (for better and/or worse) in how you currently feel—especially as you look back over the recent holidays. Introspection can be an incredibly powerful tool to stir forward action within us, particularly at the dawn of a new year. With all of your brilliant resolutions in your mind and the powerful momentum that comes along with it, let’s reflect on how relationships and associations of all kinds greatly influence how we choose to live and who we choose to become. Here are a few key points to consider as you move forward with new intentionality about the lifestyle you desire for yourself and for your family this year. These are intended to help strengthen your “nutritional 20/20 vision.” Visualize the ideal lifestyle for you. If you don’t become crystalclear about the kind of life you’d like to be living—for yourself and your family—the only one that can show up for you is by default and is out of your hands, left almost entirely up to the thoughts, actions, and influences of those around you. Selectively choose your associations. The only lifestyle capable of showing up is the average accumulation of the lifestyles of those with whom you spend the most time. We all deeply influence the decisions and choices of others, so choose your circles of association carefully, selectively, and intentionally. Communicate desire for self-care. Let others know that you’re trying to be good to yourself, eat more intentionally, show more self-love, and be more intuitively mindful. This will deepen the love you have within yourself and will stir admiration in others. Proper self-care is highly contagious.Express your preferences and goals. By establishing clarity, others will be more mindful and aware of your needs and wants and will move forward much more 24 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

About the Author

Let's learn from all relational influence of 2019 and create more nutritional intentionality for 2020

Bentley Murdock is a certified wholistic nutritionist, transformational trainer, and #1 best-selling author. With over twenty years of experience in wholistic lifestyle coaching (specializing in disease reversal and prevention), Bentley regularly incorporates the critical role that plant-sourced, whole-food nutrition plays in the healing of his clients. Locally, his disease reversal and unique wholistic healing programs are currently available at Red Mountain Resort & Spa in Ivins. As owners and founders of Custom Coaching and Healistic Vitality, he and his wife Michelle work with private clients from around the world. For more information, please call 866396-8742, email Aloha@ HealisticVitality.com, or visit HealisticVitality.com

thoughtfully. Don’t communicate just to be understood. Communicate so that you couldn’t possibly be misunderstood for any reason whatsoever. Find opportunities to educate others. Be the one who always brings multiple alternatives and replacement options to share. Others will be empowered by your discipline, educated about your particular needs and preferences, and floored to finally find out how deliciously satiating healthful foods really can be! Learn to say “no, thanks” with love. Give yourself permission to be selective, understanding that you are always free to choose for yourself aside from any perceived obligation or requirement. Others will understand why and will find strength within themselves to exercise the same disciplinary muscles. Create opportunities to be the host. It’s much easier to influence the meals and snacks when you’re the one organizing the entire event. From the beginning, delegate with specificity and visualize the end result. Rarely are we as proactive as we wish we’d been once hindsight shows up. Take full responsibility and ownership. Be accountable for all of your choices, decisions, and actions. When it comes to the healing and wellness of your body, it’s up to you alone. Moving forward, decide that you will continue to take full ownership of all the results you’d like to see in your future.

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 25

Still Standing

Hundred-Pound Weight Loss Transforms St. George Teacher in Multiple Ways

By Marianne Hamilton Tyler Christensen predicts that 2020 will be “epic.”

With his second book just out, a new career as a public speaker gaining traction, and several side ventures seeing success, Christensen—who teaches fifth grade at George Washington Academy (GWA)—has a lot on his plate. But the bigger story is what’s not on that plate anymore: Following a 100-pound weight loss in 2018, Christensen is looking forward to motivating others to transform their lives this year.

At his heaviest, Christensen tipped the scales at 306 pounds. A number of factors had contributed to his physical state. After a move (with his wife and four kids) from the midwest to Cedar City, Utah, Christensen, who’d spent a decade as a professor of educational psychology and technology, found it difficult to find work. When GWA offered him an elementary-level job, Christensen assumed it would be a relatively low-stress gig.

“Teaching elementary school is way-harder than teaching college!” Christensen noted. “I had to put in long hours; it was a huge adjustment. But teaching fifth graders is really rewarding, so it ended up being a great move for us.” What wasn’t so great: Commuting from Cedar City to St. George meant that Christensen ate most of his meals al desko. He admitted that much of what he consumed consisted of highly processed, sugar-laden snack foods. “I thought protein bars and rice-cakes were healthy, so I’d munch on those from morning ‘til night,” Christensen said ruefully. “I didn’t know there was such a thing as food addiction; I just felt hungry and ate all the time.” Although Christensen had been a distance runner in his youth and still put in a mile or two when time allowed, his weight continued to balloon. At his heaviest, with forty percent body fat, Christensen could barely trudge around the block and struggled to squeeze himself in the door of

26 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

the family car. That’s when Natalie, his wife, held an intervention.

“Natalie’s never been the type to nag. So when she told me she was worried about my health, she was afraid I could die, and she’d end up a single mom with four kids, I paid attention,” Christensen recalled. Together, the couple made a plan to set Christensen back on the road to health. Over the course of the next six months, he did online research into various weight-loss disciplines and experimented with adding and subtracting certain foods from his diet. His lost a few pounds, gained back a few more. But he remained committed to his quest. Then, as 2018 dawned, Christensen decided to forego his usual lengthy list of New Year’s resolutions and focus solely on a goal of shedding forty pounds.

In May, when he was free from the classroom, he once again laced up his running shoes and headed out—only to discover he couldn’t complete a single mile. Undaunted, Christensen resolved to hit the road the following day...and the next. Within two weeks, exercise was an immutable priority, and the weight began to melt away. By the end of the summer, Christensen had already hit his forty-pound target. “I thought, ‘Wow; what if I could lose fifty pounds?’ In my wildest dreams, maybe I could get down to 220, which would have been eighty pounds off. But I didn’t really think that would be possible.”

Despite a fall cruise, then Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the holidays, Christensen’s exercise routine expanded, and his waistline shrank. He entered and completed the Sand Hollow Marathon. Then, he set his sights on a seemingly impossible goal: Running 50K+ in the September 2019 “Last One Standing Ultra Race” competition. Staged at Confluence Park in St. George, Utah, the annual event sees participants completing as many six-mile loops (for a possible total of 102 miles) as they can within twelve hours, with 1.5 hours allotted per loop. Failure to complete a loop in that timeframe results in elimination from the race, with the “last one standing” declared the winner. About the Author

Marianne L. Hamilton is a veteran journalist whose work appears in regional and national publications, and a marketing writer for Fortune 500 corporate clients. When not race walking, hiking, or teaching water aerobics, she is a member of the St. George Arts Commission, Board Chair of Art Around the Corner, and is the Special Events Manager for Docutah. She and her husband Doug are also co-administrators of the St. George Wine Club, and race directors for the Huntsman World Senior Games.

“I figured it would be perfect for me because there’s a break after every lap, and there’s no shame in dropping out after a few laps because eventually everyone does,” Christensen laughed. “So over the summer of 2019, I was putting in about 200 miles a month to train. I’d wake up at 4:30 a.m. and hit the trail while my family was sleeping.” In all, Christensen completed nearly nine laps totaling 52.4 miles: exactly the distance of two full marathons. “It was an amazing experience— intimate and incredibly supportive,” Christensen said. “My 14-year-old son, Eli, who absolutely hates running, did

the first lap with me to show his support, which was my biggest highlight. Also, we were joined by a guy I’d never met before; we talked about his past races, and he gave me all sorts of great tips. Turns out he was the winner, Roberto Piedra, who did all 102 miles! He posed with my family and me after our lap together, which was really special.”

Looking ahead to this year, Christensen hopes his latest book, Unlocking the POWER of Transformation: Transitioning from Dreamer to Doer, will inspire others to take action. POWER is a personal account of Christensen’s weight-loss journey and other transformations he has seen in his life. He’s also launched “After the Run,” a digital platform offering podcasts, blog posts, videos, and other fitness-related content. And in the next few months, Christensen aims to ramp up his new career as a public speaker and change-agent.

Considering all of his future options, Christensen’s face glows in the afternoon sun. “It really is amazing here in southern Utah,” he concluded. “The people are so fantastic; life is so much better than I ever could have imagined. Natalie and I really believe in this community. The longer we’re here, we just love it more and more.” For more information about Tyler Christensen, visit http://tylerchristensen.com/

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 27

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From the Streets of Los Angeles to the Red Hills of St. George By Erin Severeid With a diverse student body, positive atmosphere, and curriculum that encourages an “active learning. active life.” approach to education, Dixie State University fosters guidance, growth, and inclusion in its students and values the academic success of each individual, regardless of background or upbringing. This supportive culture made a world of About the Author difference to Andy Velasco. Erin Severeid is a sophomore at Dixie State University. Velasco knows what it’s like to overcome Born and raised in Utah, Erin a troubled upbringing. In the heart of graduated from East High downtown Los Angeles, he grew up School in Salt Lake City. An between two of the biggest gangs in the English literature major, Erin enjoys reading, writing, hiking, United States. and yoga. She also recommends “It was pretty rough. You never knew blazing trails in Zion National what was going to happen because there Park and Kanarraville Falls. were always gang members hanging around the streets trying to recruit young kids,” said Velasco. He didn’t find many opportunities to grow and learn as a student in LA. After school, he would care for his younger brother while his single mother worked. Many of his peers didn’t go on to college, and some didn’t even finish high school. But it was these very obstacles that motivated Velasco to change his life and build a better future for himself by attending Dixie State University. After hearing about DSU through friends, he researched further and was impressed by the University’s many positive attributes, especially the cost, the weather, and the close proximity to California. After moving to St. George with his mother and brother, Velasco began his new journey as a college student. During his freshman year, Velasco struggled working 50 hours a week and taking 18 credits at Dixie. Frustrated with his overwhelming schedule

and the fact that he didn’t have time to get involved on campus, Velasco quit his job and joined student government. “That’s where I made a lot of connections. From there, I transferred to the Multicultural Inclusion Center. Then, I found out about peer coaching in the Student Success Center.” Velasco now works as a peer coach for freshmen students through Dixie State’s Student Outreach Program. The program is designed to help students succeed in college by helping them navigate college life and ultimately transition into the workforce or on to graduate programs. Students also learn to manage their time, create budgets, and use important life skills in their studies and everyday lives. Velasco also helps troubled youth at Lava Heights Academy, a center for teens who have experienced psychological, emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. He has found this work to be very rewarding. Recognizing that the teens have several home and background issues, he is able to relate to them because he has shared their troubles and can use his experience to connect with them. “You make those relationships, and when you break through to the kids, it’s a good feeling,” said Velasco. Jay Sorensen, DSU director of Student Outreach Services, knew that Andy had great potential from the start. Andy’s progress throughout his time at Dixie is a perfect example of what the Student Outreach Program aims to achieve. According to Sorensen, the program works with students like Andy and puts them in an environment that allows them to grow and flourish. Having enjoyed his time working as a peer coach and at the youth center, Andy hopes to use his background and upbringing to help and guide others. Planning to become a therapist, Velasco will graduate from Dixie State University in the spring of 2020 and has applied to a Masters of Social Work program beginning in the fall. To Velasco, his work with troubled youth is “not about the money; it’s about helping others change their lives,” much like how Dixie changed his.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 29

OLD AND NEW, TRIED AND TRUE

Serving the Intermountain West for Eight Decades, Jones Paint & Glass is Still Going Strong Harold Jones started Jones Paint & Glass in 1938 after his parents—believing in their son’s vision—took out a $300 loan for him using their furniture as collateral. Eighty years later, Jones Paint & Glass has grown from the modest one-man-show it was eight decades ago into a flourishing company serving the Intermountain West. With seven locations, over 200 employees, and a loyal customer base built primarily by positive referrals, Jones Paint & Glass still holds true to Harold’s philosophy of providing outstanding customer service. Harold’s grandson David Jones is the current president of Jones Paint & Glass. The company opened its St. George location in 1978 with just four employees. Today, Jones has 98 employees who specialize in a variety of services. Best known as a top quality supplier of window products, Jones manufacturers its own designs of vinyl windows and sliding patio doors in Provo, Utah. These products are well known for high-energy efficiency and affordability. Additionally, Jones Paint & Glass is the distributor for Andersen and Marvin Wood Windows and Doors, two of the industry’s leaders. To complete the full home package for homeowners and builders, Jones Paint & Glass offers an array of pre-hung exterior and interior doors, including trim and hardware packages. They provide and install garage doors, too. Their door production staff and garage door installers have years of experience and expertise. Jones Paint & Glass of St. George is beginning construction this spring on a new building at 551 East Tabernacle that will help expand those offerings even more. If you’re looking to revamp your home or office’s curb appeal or simply looking to enhance the look you already have, Jones Paint & Glass windows and doors can help turn your vision into a reality. Their glass is not only beautiful, it is also energy efficient— meaning you can get the look you want while cutting your energy bills. Jones Paint & Glass is also heavily involved in commercial construction in the community, providing aluminum storefront windows and entry doors for many of the businesses, schools, and churches in the area. Jones provides many of the finishing touches that help to beautify your home, such as custom mirrors and shower doors, and after your new windows are installed, Jones features Hunter Douglas blinds with full service, repair, and installation services. Jones is ready to help replace broken windows at your home or office and is the expert when it comes to replacing or repairing your windshield or other automotive glass. Remember: “When you hear the crash, think of Jones Paint & Glass.” Last but not least....Jones Paint & Glass carries the most trusted interior paint brands in the paint industry. Whether you’re getting prepared to redecorate your home or you need to revamp the interior look of your business, they can find the perfect brand and style of paint for you. 30 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

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s k c o S r fo S o u ls

By SGHW Staff

Just as a small, seemingly insignificant stone has the potential to create ripples across a vast body of water, one small act of kindness can have a ripple effect, impacting others in positive ways and leaving the world a better place. The most successful human endeavors often begin as small gestures of genuine kindness and evolve into global operations of love that change lives, touch hearts, and save souls. Colleen and Kelly Kendall are two small stones who are creating waves of positive change that are affecting thousands of lives.

It began when their simple act of kindness touched the life of one twenty-year-old homeless man. As the couple walked among those sleeping under tarps and trees in Pioneer Park in St. George, Utah, they happened upon a young man—Nate— who would change not only their lives but the lives of many others. As Colleen knelt down next to Nate, she touched his arm and asked softly, “Where is your mother?” He began to cry and told her that his mother was no longer in his life and that his father was in prison. Through tears, he shared his story. He had once had a good job, an apartment, a truck, a girlfriend, and a baby girl whom he adored, but because of getting involved with drugs, he had lost everything. “Even though I’m here in the park homeless, I am a good person,” he said.

They asked him to help them know what the real needs were in the homeless community and shelters by asking around and getting back to them. A few days later, Nate sent a powerful oneword message: “Socks.” Then two other messages arrived: “Socks are Gold” and “We would rather have socks than food.” The Kendalls felt impressed to begin collecting socks immediately to distribute to those in need. That simple message, “Socks,” evolved into a nonprofit organization: Socks for Souls. “As you can imagine, the homeless don’t have many options for doing laundry, so a pair of socks is worn for as long as possible before they become too wet or soiled or are literally

32 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

worn off their feet,” said Colleen. “Most of the homeless wear donated shoes that don’t fit quite right, cause sores, and create bacteria that grow, especially in the summer and on hot days. Most of us put on clean socks daily and can’t imagine what it would be like to wear a pair of socks for a week, let alone a month.

“We each can do our part to help the less fortunate,” she continued. “We certainly can’t change the world all at once, but we can do something that ripples around the world.” Edward Hale stated, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, in cold enough conditions, frostbite can occur in thirty minutes or less. Locally, Socks for Souls is currently distributing socks at Switchpoint Community Resource Center, the DOVE Center, the Doctors’ Volunteer Clinic, and similar agencies from Logan to Las Vegas.

“Having the basic necessities brings personal dignity to those who are struggling and having challenges,” said Colleen. “Many times, we pass by homeless people and they become invisible. They are also judged as ‘beggars’ who simply should go get a job. If we only knew the real story behind their unkempt appearance, we would think twice...about judging them, and we would be inspired to donate socks for their feet.”

Sometimes it only takes someone caring enough to give a hand up to change a life forever. “We are not suggesting a ‘hand out’ but a ‘hand up’ with the basics of life we often take for granted,” said Kelly. “Giving service is one of the best ways to forget our own struggles and know that we are making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.”

Those who have received socks are grateful for the “Sock Angels” who have donated socks for the many souls in the southern Utah community and even to the orphanages in Mexico. “Each person has within him or her the potential to create ripples of positive change,” explained the Kendalls. “At the end of the day, when those with less than us are having difficulties, sometimes they just need a little hope. And a pair of socks!”

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Socks for Souls

ACES Companies, along with our St. George partners, are proud to serve and support Socks for Souls. Together we can work together and help build a better community. Thank you for your support! St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 33

FUSION PHARMACY Santa Clara | (435) 703-9680 | St. George | (435) 656-2059 | www.FusionSpecialtyPharmacy.com By Koby Taylor, PharmD, and Fusion Pharmacy Jason is a thirty-five-year-old fitness enthusiast, the father of two children, a CPA, and an entrepreneur. When I met Jason, he had just started is own CPA practice, and by all accounts, he was on top of the world. But Jason hadn’t felt right for quite some time. Jason has always looked after his health, and as I mentioned, he is someone who loves to go to the gym; it’s his stress reducer and his chance to shift his energy from the mental to the physical. As a health-conscious individual, Jason is knowledgeable about health-specific diets and is aware of the benefits of amino acids when it comes to a pre- and postworkout regimen.

Don’t IgnoreYourSymptomsasaPassingFluke

Jason had been experiencing symptoms of low blood sugar for quite a while. Ignoring these symptoms was putting great stress on him, both physically and mentally. For him, these symptoms included: • Feeling shaky after eating (especially after breakfast) • An inability to focus • Stress headaches • Inconsistent sleep patterns • Body and joint aches • Stomach aches • Mood swings • Body temperature fluxuations (cortisol reactions to stress) • Feeling hangry (irritability or anger because of hunger) He mentioned to me that the constant fluctuation of his physical symptoms were exhausting, and he was fearful that either a major medical event or serious injury were just around the corner. He had found himself falling into a “vicious cycle” of reaching for sugary drinks (soda) for extra energy and ibuprofen for the body aches. (Please don’t misunderstand; over-the-counter pain relievers have a place for temporary relief. However, using them on a consistent daily basis can cause nutrient deficiencies and even damage to your vital organs.)

Functioning High While Feeling Low: AHEALTHSTORYFORMEN

34 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

#FusionIsBetterMedicine

Jason’s physiological symptoms are not uncommon for highly active people. These personality types are able to function (and even thrive) by taking on a multitude of stressors and typically prefer to follow a disciplined schedule to feel balanced. Highly active personality types like Jason often push through and ignore physical symptoms to maintain the balance.

Jason’sAminoAcidTest

pounds! His weight loss wasn’t a goal, but he says it happened naturally and attributes it to not craving sugar. Now that Jason has been supplementing with Fusion Pharmacy’s selected amino acids for some time, he realizes that his meal replacement shakes, while they are of good quality, aren’t enough to support his physical activity and the mental stresses of his professional life.

Brief Supplement Explanation

While Jason was already supplementing his diet Non-Essential and Conditionally Non-Essential Amino Acids are, by definition, “not essential to the with amino acids in the form of his meal replacement human diet.” This means your body creates themnaturally. Supplementing with non-essential amino acids choices, it was clear he was experiencing some may become necessary if your body is under mental and physical strain fromstress or disease, and your nutrient deficiencies. body cannot create what is needed to function normally. We started with a non-essential (naturally created Essential Amino Acids are found within your diet and enter your body by way of eating whole foods, such within the body) amino acid to address the low blood as fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat. Supplementing may become necessary if your diet doesn’t consist of a daily variety of whole foods, especially when you are eating too many processed and pre-packaged foods. sugar symptoms and sugar cravings and a supplement for easing the impact of stress. Both of these supplements Supplements for Stress can include certain vitamins and minerals as well as supplements that affect neuro-transmitters in your brain. Stress can impact your blood pressure and blood sugar, increase your also addressed his headaches. We also addressed his stress hormones (cortisol), and affect sleep, mood, and digestion. It can also impact cognitive functions and sleep, mood, and focus with an additional essential can create joint and muscle pain. amino acid (found only in food sources) and combined it with another nutritional supplement. As for his stomach aches, we addressed his gut health by initiating As for his overall experience, Jason says he is grateful for Koby Taylor, the Five R’s approach: remove, replace, repair, restore, and rebalance. PharmD, and Fusion Pharmacy’s help, and he feels great! He loves that (Please visit our website at FusionSpecialtyPharmacy.com/gut-health/ he was able to understand what his body was lacking and that he could for more information.) The removal of the most common foods is tackle his symptoms without experiencing a “major medical event” and how most people get started, but since Jason wanted to keep his meal without going on prescription medication. replacement routine, we looked at the quality of his meal replacements As a pharmacist who has seen people get additional illnesses when and how he should go forward with the aforementioned initial gut increasing their prescription medications, I am grateful that I have health protocol. patients who are willing to look at their nutrient deficiencies and allow me to help them. So, thank you Jason! Pharmacy Note: I have found that the consistent use of meal replacement shakes or bars can alter gut health and even create Pharmacy Note: This case is a good example of how we as serious nutrient deficiencies. Please know that meal replacements consumers are using meal replacements as an alternative means are not complete meals and can lack in the daily required fiber, of amino acid sourcing. While this typically isn’t harmful, it vitamins, minerals, and amino acids found only in whole foods. can cause great confusion about amino acids and their role in your overall health.

CommonInitial Protocols: AHolisticApproach

Typically, the initial protocol is to “upload” the body with the recommended amino acids as much as possible during the day within the first month. This can include supplementing up to four times a day in some cases. This approach helps to repair the body from previous nutrient-depleted stressors while replenishing and allowing it to adjust to a new normal. Amino acid protocols can and will change from the initial protocol. This is why we also teach people how to adjust on their own.

JasonIsaBeliever inAminoAcids

At the time of this interview, Jason had been using his amino acid protocol for about eighteen months. He explained that while he continues to use his core group of supplements almost every day, he is able to self-regulate and is aware of what his body is needing when certain symptoms begin to come back. Whereas before his amino acid supplements, Jason described feeling shaky and unable to focus until long after lunchtime, he said that he no longer feels shaky after eating breakfast. His sleep quality has improved as well as his mood. He also commented that he is able to handle stress much better. Jason is drinking more water and no longer craves sugary soda drinks. His body aches have also subsided except for the common aches from working out, of course. He also commented on how he lost a few St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 35

By Southwest Spine & Pain Center Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive injection procedure that reduces facet and sacroiliac joint pain in the cervical and lumbar spine. This unique procedure utilizes electrical currents to effectively diminish discomfort and provide several days, weeks, or months of pain relief. Southwest Spine & Pain Center may recommend this treatment to those with chronic neck or back pain.

What Conditions Can Radiofrequency Ablation Treat? Joint arthritis, degeneration, and injury to areas of the low back and neck usually benefit most from radiofrequency ablation, but individuals with chronic pain in the arms, knees, legs, and pelvic area may also experience significant pain relief from treatment. Certain bone, kidney, liver, lung, and prostate cancers have also benefited from radiofrequency ablation. What To Expect During The Procedure

On the day of the procedure, a mild sedation is administered intravenously to minimize the patient’s discomfort. Following sedation, a local anesthetic will be applied around the area being treated. Using an x-ray fluoroscope, a physician will direct and insert a needle into the area of the spine causing pain.

An electrode will be placed within that needle to target some of the surrounding nerves and muscles. To ensure the correct area is being treated, the physician sends an electrical current through the electrode to recreate the patient’s pain and generate a muscle twitch. If the surrounding nerves and muscles spasm, the physician will know that is the appropriate region for treatment. The area will then be numbed, and radiofrequency waves will be sent to heat the tip of the needle.

Shortly after radiofrequency ablation, patients can expect to feel soreness in the treated area. This sensation usually indicates targeted nerves dying from the heat lesion. Patients may experience a gradual decrease in pain with continued improvement over the course of two to three weeks.

Risk and Complications There is an infrequent but possible risk of bleeding or infection. Patients with moderate to severe pain, soreness, itchiness, or swelling fourteen days after the procedure should call their Southwest Spine & Pain Center physician immediately. Benefits of Radiofrequency Ablation Radiofrequency ablation may provide relief to those with chronic neck and low back pain. As a minimally invasive interventional pain treatment, the benefits of radiofrequency ablations are: • Pain relief for up to 2 years • Greater range of motion • Short recovery time • Low complications and morbidity rates Are You A Candidate for Radiofrequency Ablation? Patients with pain or tenderness in the back and neck, difficulty rotating the head, headaches, shoulder pain, stiffness, and other pain-related symptoms may be ideal candidates for this procedure. However, patients with a history of ongoing infections or bleeding issues may not be considered candidates. Consult a Southwest Spine & Pain Center pain management physician to see if you’re a candidate for this procedure. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 435-656-2424, or visit our website at southwestspineandpain.com.

A heat lesion is created on the nerve to disrupt its ability to send pain signals to the brain. This process may be repeated several times for other damaged nerves, and the entire procedure is usually completed within thirty minutes. Patients can return home shortly after the procedure.

Radiofrequency Ablation: What Is It and How Can It Help Back Pain?

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By Dr. Werner Vosloo, Restore Bio+Clinic Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder in which the death of nerve and brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline, leading to dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is important to study and understand because it is the most common form of age-associated dementia. As one of the biggest medical challenges of our time, there are currently more than 47 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease globally, with the Alzheimer’s Association predicting this number to increase to 120 million by 2050. Although Alzheimer’s disease can be genetically inherited (through the ApoE4 gene), we can do better in controlling the environmental factors that contribute to the expression of this disease. Environmental factors can be controlled and modified to prevent or decrease risk for disease development or to change the course of the illness.

In the Alzheimer’s brain, abnormal levels of a naturally occurring protein—amyloid beta protein—clump together to disrupt cell function. Inflammation and the activation of the brain’s immune system (microglial activation) are very important as factors that cause this protein to be deposited in the brain. However, the proteins themselves trigger and maintain generalized inflammation that feeds back on itself. In other words, inflammation creates more inflammation, and it becomes chronic with no readily available “off ” switch for the inflammatory responses. This ongoing inflammation leads to the development of tissue changes.

Nerve cell death and brain shrinkage are triggered by amyloid beta protein accumulation in the brain. Amyloid beta becomes sticky and deposits in clumps around nerve cells, causing a downsizing of brain volume, brain cells, and the nerve connections in the circuitry that is our life’s memories.

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This process is thought to usually take about twenty years, which gives us ample opportunity to identify the environmental factors that cause inflammation and set the stage for the disease and to act by implementing treatments to slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

WHAT CAUSES THE INFLAMMATION ASSOCIATED WITH NEURODEGENERATION? Infections and their toxins contribute significantly to Alzheimer’s disease, making it very important to actively assess immune system reactivity toward microbes that drive the Alzheimer’s disease process. These microbes include viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Common infections are also strongly linked to Alzheimer’s, including the cold sore virus (HSV1), the stomach ulcer bacteria (Helicobacter pylori), Candida yeasts (which causes thrush), and Lyme disease caused by Borrelia organisms. Pathogenic dental bacteria found in periodontitis or gum disease is strongly linked to Alzheimer’s disease. All of these factors are very diagnosable and treatable.

Action required: Testing for specific inflammatory markers is a core part of a thorough, integrated medical workup for brain inflammation and neurodegenerative disease. The causes for inflammation are identifiable can be treated.

Microbiome imbalance is also a potent contributor to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Disturbance of a healthy brain-gut-microbiome, unhealthy mucus membranes, and unhealthy dental bacteria are strongly associated with microbes that end up in the brain. They can also cause a leaky blood-brain barrier, allowing more microbes, toxins, and activated immune cells into the flammable brain.

Action required: Blood, saliva, and stool tests for antibodies or microbial DNA of relevant microbes and their toxins help us understand if there is chronic exposure that can be corrected.

Toxins are a very strong and common factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The term “mad as a hatter” is a very appropriate historic reference to the degeneration of the brain in hat makers that were exposed to mercury in their work. Modern-day studies strongly support the causative link between not only mercury levels in the blood and the brain but also between amalgam dental fillings and Alzheimer’s disease. Arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other toxic metals are strongly linked with brain dysfunction and are also classified as dementogens—substances that predispose you to dementia.

Various chemicals such as VOC’s, plastics, pesticides, insecticides, and especially small particulate inhalant exposure in air pollution are strongly linked to the development and acceleration of Alzheimer’s disease.

Action required: Testing for the presence of various classes of toxin dementogens helps us determine their presence, possible ongoing exposure, and most importantly, treatment options. Precise diagnostic testing leads to a clear view of factors that contribute to neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer’s disease. Prevention and treatment must be preceded by focused diagnostic steps to ensure that appropriate protocols are used to optimize the therapeutic effect of treatment.

About the Author

Dr. Werner Vosloo is a Naturopathic and Homeopathic Physician. He is board certified in both Oregon and Utah. He received a master’s degree in Homeopathy from the Durban University of Technology in Durban, South Africa, as well as a doctorate in natural medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon.

Dr. Vosloo offers evaluation followed by treatment of the underlying factors that cause and maintain Alzheimer’s dementia and neurodegenerative disease. He is now accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an evaluation and further testing, please call 435-227-4355 or visit our website www.restorebioclinic.com

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 39

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Edition No.1

Washington County Times

Date Jan/Feb 2020

ASK STAPLEY PHARMACY All of your pharmacy questions answered

Dear Stapley, What is sterile compounding? Dear Seeking Understanding in Washington, Compounding is the combination of two or more traditional medications which are not being tolerated well in the traditional oral manner. Sterile compounding involves creating a pharmaceutical medication in an environment free from viruses, bacteria, or any other potentially infectious microorganisms. This type of compounding is used for medications that will be administered either through an IV, injection, or directly into the eyes. Answered by Stacy Lamb, Pharm Tech (Stapley/C3)

Is my constipation due to my new medication? Dear Constipated in Ivins: Often constipation is caused by nutritional habits or lack of hydration, but can sometimes be affected by medications which have been prescribed by your medical provider. First, take a look at your water intake. A great calculation to decide how much water you need on a daily basis is your weight/2 = A (example 200 lbs/2=100 oz). Work on drinking that much water each day. In addition, add a single piece of fruit or unprocessed fiber into your diet each day. You should see results within a day or two. Generally, if your new medication is known to cause constipation, your favorite pharmacist will let you know. You can always use a laxative and we recommend you speak to your physician or favorite pharmacist for product recommendations. If the constipation persists, seek medical attention.

Why do I have to get a flu shot every year? Dear Barfy in Mesquite, Influenza is a virus and like any virus, it mutates to cause as much havoc in your body as possible. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for just about everyone 6 months and older, even when the viruses the vaccine protects against have not changed from the previous season. The reason for this is that a person’s immune protection from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccination is needed to get the “optimal” or best protection against the flu. Important to remember is that vaccines don’t ‘prevent’ the virus from attacking humans, but they can dramatically reduce the symptoms if one catches the flu. It is also important to acknowledge that the vaccine does not cause the flu. “Flu vaccines given with a needle (i.e., flu shots) are currently made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with a) flu viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ (killed) and that therefore are not infectious, or b) using only a single gene from a flu virus (as opposed to the full virus) in order to produce an immune response without causing infection.” (CDC 12/04/19). We recommend getting your flu shot in early October each year; Please put it on your calendar. Answered by Kelli Charlton, Director of Education

Answered by Chris Christensen, Pharm D (Stapley Dino)

If you have a question for the Stapley team, please email the question to DearStapley@gmail.com St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 41

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 43

This is One Secret We Refuse to Keep

By Carolyn Hansen, FNP-BC

Many women let embarrassment and discomfort with the topic stop them from asking about vaginal rejuvenation. At any point during or after her reproductive years, a woman can suffer from loss of libido, dryness, vaginal atrophy, painful intercourse (dyspuernia), diminished sexual pleasure, and urinary incontinence. These intimate problems can be exacerbated after childbirth or during menopause, but women of all ages can experience any of them at various stages of life. Dealing with these treatable issues can be uncomfortable, cause embarrassment, and be a strain in relationships. Starting a dialogue about vaginal rejuvenation and sexual health can be difficult. It is time for women to be heard and to address the importance of being able to enjoy intimate relations, increase confidence, and enjoy an overall sense of well-being that can be found through addressing sexual wellness. The beauty of the world we live in today is that there are some novel modalities on the market to help with some of the intimate issues. No longer do women need to suffer in silence and feel that something is “wrong” with them. We, as women, do not need to be afraid to ask about what can be done medically to help us realize our sexual potential.

An immediate increase in volume takes place, leading to noticeable results. This skin thickening and tightening can last for up to fourteen months. Even though a single treatment works for up to fourteen months, PRP is temporary. A repeat of the procedure can be necessary, usually about a year after the last treatment. As a form of regenerative medicine, PRP can have cumulative effects, so it is perfectly safe to have booster treatments sooner than twelve months, if desired.

FRAXIS GynoLaser

Another option that is often used in conjunction with the V-PRP shot is a fractional CO2 Laser. This laser can safely affect the vaginal wall, stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin, inducing the production of new blood vessels, and increasing receptor sensitivity. What this translates to is better blood flow to nourish the tissues and a thickening of the vaginal mucosa, helping to restore moisture content, softness, and overall elasticity. It can also be used to correct the external pigmentation of the genital area (labia, bikini area).

V-PRP Shot

About the Author

Carolyn Hansen, FNP, was raised in southern Utah. She attended nursing school at Dixie State University and received her master’s degree in family nurse practice at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She specializes in aesthetic injections, skin renewal, sexual rejuvenation, and will soon be adding hormone balancing and weight loss to her repertoire. Carolyn is married with four children and resides in Green Valley, Utah. Her passions lie in enjoying her family and continually learning about all things pertaining to beauty and aging gracefully.

One of the most promising treatments for increasing libido, decreasing urinary incontinence, and regenerating the vaginal tissue is the V-PRP shot. This process uses platelet rich plasma (PRP) to stimulate stem cells and growth factors to regenerate healthier vaginal tissue. Blood is drawn from an individual and the platelets are separated out in a centrifuge. After a local anesthetic is applied, the PRP is then injected into strategic areas of the vulva and vagina. The PRP contains a high concentration of stem cells, growth factors, and other natural components that repair and regenerate the tissue. This collagen and elastin production cause expansion due to tissue thickening, which leads to easier stimulation, sexual enhancement, and improved vaginal hydration.

Illustration showing vaginal tissue structure shown before (L) and after (R) CO2 Laser treatment

The area under the urethra and bladder is additionally exposed to the laser, which addresses bladder leakage resulting from excessive stretching of the vaginal muscles. Women often leak urine after sneezing, jumping, coughing, laughing, running, or other various activities. This “stress Incontinence” is the most common type of female incontinence and can adversely affect the daily life of 85 percent of women. This procedure is done in-office in less than ten minutes with minimal discomfort. The FRAXIS Gynolaser tightens and rejuvenates immediately, and most patients can return to sexual activity after seven days. Many patients report noticeable results that appear after the first treatment. To achieve long term vaginal rejuvenation results, a series of three treatments a month apart may be recommended. Clinical results from the V-PRP shot and the FRAXIS Gynolaser confirm that more than 90 percent of patients are highly satisfied with their results with 100 percent absence of adverse effects. Let’s start the conversation and keep an open mind about increasing the quality of life for ourselves and all the women in our lives. If you are a woman dealing with a lack of self-confidence or avoiding sexual intimacy due to sexual wellness concerns, don’t let your embarrassment stop you from getting state-of-the-art, non-invasive treatments.

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 45

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Salt Therapy has been around since the 1800s in Europe. In the salt mines of Poland, miners who had frequent exposure to the salt noticed healing of their respiratory and skin ailments. Clinical studies have shown that when people inhale dry salt air, it helps stimulate the body’s natural ability to reduce inﬂammation, ﬁght infection, clear blockages and reduce discomfort.

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Halotherapy is drug free, 100% natural therapy to promote better breathing, healthier skin, sounder sleep and overall wellness. It also increases lung capacity so athletes and musicians can reach their maximum performance.

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HOW DOES IT WORK? Pharmaceutical grade salt is ground into tiny micro particles by a state-of-the-art halogenerator. While relaxing, clients simply breathe in the dry salt air. This opens the airways and reduces inﬂammation in the lungs and sinuses, making it easier to breathe. Salt has the following properties: • Antibacterial • Anti-inﬂammatory • Anti-fungal • Loosens excessive mucus

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By Coleen Andruss, MD As we go from 2019 into 2020, many of you are making New Year’s resolutions. Sometimes we make these resolutions unattainable because we strive for perfection. A resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. Resolutions tend to be all or nothing, black or white. We usually focus on what we don't want to do rather than what we do want to do. About the Author A goal is a desired result that involves Dr. Andruss practiced as an Internist for 10 years, and action, intention, and planning and has specialized in weight provides a direction to follow in order management for over 25 to achieve a desired outcome. A goal is years. She and her staff the end result of a journey with a road to have experienced weight management issues and have a enjoy along the way. So, let’s be SMART compassionate understanding in 2020, hit the refresh button, and reach of patients in the Healthy that better place in our lives! Lifestyles program. Dr. Andruss’s internal medicine Be Specific and avoid generalizing. background helps her to see Wanting to lose weight is a generalization underlying medical problems while losing a certain amount of weight when formulating individual plans that work. in a fixed amount of time is specific. The goal needs to be Measurable. Generalizations are not usually measurable. You want to be able to write it down and record the goal, making it visible every day so that you can measure and monitor progress. Measure activity not results! To be Attainable means having a plan and knowing what steps have to be taken to reach the goal. Have clear, simple, targeted daily goals and know how the daily goals connect to the long-term goals, plans, and dreams. Goals direct your focus and attention. They help you remain persistent in the face of adversity. They increase your selfconfidence and help you develop problem-solving strategies. They help you to be smarter and perform up to your potential. Be Realistic. Set smaller goals that when put together help you to reach your ultimate, larger goal. Small mini-goals will allow you to feel success, positivity, accomplishment, and empowerment more often. They will provide you with the motivation to push longer and harder in order to reach that ultimate goal.

Clean the processed foods out the cupboards. If you can create a healthier attitude and healthier environment, by law of nature, the scale will drop in number and the size will go down. Be disciplined. We are disciplined to go to work every day. We are disciplined to go to bed at night. We are disciplined to shower or bathe every day. Become disciplined to be active and eat clean. Be disciplined to do what we know we should do every single day. Being disciplined means doing it even though we might not always want to. If we are not disciplined, we will make excuses. Forty to sixty percent of Americans make New Year's resolutions. Eighty percent of New Year's resolutions fail by February. Only about eight to ten percent of us are successful in achieving resolutions. Goals are much more attainable and longer lasting than resolutions. So are you going to make a resolution or set a goal for 2020? Be SMART and set realistic healthy-living goals for 2020. Document your Specific, Measurable smaller goals followed by an Attainable, Realistic, Timely long-term goal, and then start your journey to a better life! If you meet obstacles along the way, remember that your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Challenges and obstacles build strong people in the end. Bring on 2020!

Be Timely. Create some urgency by setting realistic deadlines which will help keep you in the right mindset on a continuous basis. Be strict about these timelines. No excuses! Put the excuses to rest. The more we make excuses, the more we start relying on them and the farther away success becomes. Excuses allow us to live below our standards. Relying on excuses gets us farther from our goals. Excuses damage our attitude toward a better, healthier life. Change of attitude is critical. Don’t create a short-term goal that will be done and gone. Create a healthy attitude for a healthier lifestyle and overall long-term health. Get more active overall. Bring in more vegetables. Lower carbohydrates. Get rid of the junk. Stop snacking. St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 47

By Dr. Gregory J. Hicken If you have severe osteoarthritis in your knee, no doubt you are considering full or partial knee replacement surgery (also known as an arthroplasty) in which your joint is restored by resurfacing the bones and installing an artificial knee implant.

Knee Replacement, Then and Now Technology for knee replacement surgery has improved immensely. In the 1980s, knee replacements were delayed for as long as possible, leaving the patient to suffer stiffness, pain, and mobility limitations. The cement and implant would wear out after a few short years, and replacements were even more challenging to perform than the original procedures.

What was previously only permitted in a full-service hospital as an inpatient procedure is now being done safely in an outpatient setting away from a hospital. In fact, Medicare will begin authorizing knee replacement procedures in freestanding outpatient surgery centers such as St George Surgical Center as of January 1, 2020.

48 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

Robotic Surgical Systems for Knee Replacement Because patients wanted to return to normal everyday activities and have a more active lifestyle after knee replacement, manufacturers designed and developed advanced implants as well as surgical instruments to improve precision and surgical performance. We now have robotic surgical systems available that improve precision and help surgeons to be consistent regardless of whether they are performing their fifth surgery or their hundredth surgery. Additionally, there are a wide array of prosthetics from which to choose, whether your knee damage involves the entire knee (total) or only one side of the knee (partial).

Southern Utah Knee Replacement Choices Here in southern Utah, there are two robotic systems in use to help surgeons perform total knee replacements, but only the NAVIO◊ Surgical System is capable of total and partial knee replacements. And only NAVIO◊ from Smith and Nephew offers a prosthetic (the Verilast) that lasts 30 years, a claim that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows. This means that if you need a new knee earlier in life in order to remain active or to return to the lifestyle activities you enjoy, you don’t have to wait years to replace your knee, as was the case in the 1980s.

Questions to Ask Here are four questions to ask your surgeon before you decide on knee replacement surgery: 1. Do you plan to replace the entire knee or just part of the knee? With the NAVIO◊, we have choices of knee replacement prosthetics to offer our patients. Some robotic systems offer only total knee replacement, so even if only part of your knee needs replacement, the other robot can’t offer that option.

2. Will I need a CT scan before my knee replacement surgery? A knee replacement done without robotic assistance may require a CT scan. The surgeon uses this to create their surgical plan and determine the rotational alignment of the prosthetic components. The CT scan is equivalent to forty-eight chest x-rays! With the NAVIO◊ surgical system, no CT is required.

3. If you replace my knee without the robot, will my implant loosen to the point it requires a revision or subsequent replacement? The NAVIO◊ robotic surgical system affords the surgeon the opportunity to be more precise, which in turn usually results in a better fit for a longer period of time. When the knee implant is not properly aligned, the patient often experiences pain and mobility limitation. The first symptom of a failing prosthesis is pain; the Australian Prosthetic Register revealed that aseptic loosening accounts for 35 percent of the pain and infection accounts for 17 percent of the pain1. 4. Can you spare my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with the surgical plan for my knee replacement? In southern Utah and northern Clark County, only the NAVIO◊ surgical system offers the option to spare the ACL. If your surgeon isn’t using the NAVIO◊ and your ACL is in good shape, it may be sacrificed unnecessarily.

1. Robertsson O, Dunbar M, Pehrsson T, Knutson K, Lidgren L. Patient satisfaction after knee arthroplasty: a report on 27,372 knees operated on between 1981 and 1995 in Sweden. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica. 2000; 71(3):262–267.[PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Gregory J Hicken, MD, is committed to providing high-quality orthopedic care. Your health and comfort and the personal attention you deserve are his priority. His goal is to make every visit to his office in Logan, Utah, or St. George, Utah, as comfortable and convenient as possible. Dr. Hicken’s specialties include: • Full and partial robotic-assisted knee replacement • Total joint replacement • Minimally invasive surgery • Sports medicine

• Shoulder reconstruction • Computer-assisted total knee replacement • Computer-assisted total hip replacement

Dr. Hicken welcomes new patients to his office, located at 568 W Telegraph Street #4 in Washington, Utah. Please call (435) 627-0231 with any questions. Plan to attend an upcoming lunch-and-learn session where Dr. Hicken will answer your questions about robotic-assisted full and partial knee replacement surgeries. You may inquire about dates and reserve your seat by phone.

676 South Bluff Street - St. George, Utah 84770

(844) 673-0095

stgeorgesurgical.com/naviokneereplacement St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 49

By J. R. Martin, Alive and Well A few months ago I sat in the first annual Brigham Young University Healthcare Administrators Conference. The venue was at the Provo Convention Center. Among the hundreds of administrators I seemed to be the only provider. This is as close as I have ever been to living out my fantasy of being a double agent. The main discussion topic was ‘how to solve the healthcare crisis According to a recent Gallup poll, medical costs are still among the top worries that we experience as Americans. It seems we fear the costs associated with accidents and disease as much as the problems themselves.

Healthcare costs are a hot topic. Democrats and Republicans alike seek to navigate us out of our healthcare crisis. As in any critically lost situation, we are left to wonder about how we got here and to worry about how we get out. Reflecting on my personal experiences and reviewing the data have helped me. I hope it helps you. As a young man growing up in the ’80s (complete with a mullet and ’80s music blaring on the radio), I remember my father working long hours in the emergency room in American Fork, Utah. He loved it. The sense of community and service was profound. At that time, the hospital still seemed to be true to its 1937 beginnings. The original property cost was $2,500 and half of that amount was raised by the community. This was their hospital. About the Author

J.R. is the founder of Alive & Well. He received his bachelor of science in chemistry and exercise science and master of science in health promotion from Brigham Young University. Later, he received a master of medical science from Midwestern University and eventually became licensed a physician’s assistant. He has worked at Enterprise Valley Medical Center as well as IHC in St. George Utah. J.R. currently works full time to provide individuals, families, and small businesses total solutions for their health and wellness needs. J.R. spends his time with his beautiful wife and 4 beautiful daughters. He loves to golf, run and play the accordion, but not at the same time.

As the community grew, so did the hospital. The roaring ’50s brought a new location and updated facilities, which doubled the number of patient beds. During the decades between the hospital’s original construction and the 1950s, the ratio of administrators to physicians remained consistent. However, the ’60s and ’70s brought a change. Administration began to grow and outpace the physician population substantially. I still remember the day in the ’80s when my father said that the new hospital had the same number of patient rooms but had doubled or tripled the space for administration. Beginning in the ’90s, the percentage of administrators compared to physicians skyrocketed. The cost of healthcare skyrocketed as well. The new century has seen a dramatic increase in non-clinical healthcare workers. Perhaps this also adds fuel to our skyrocketing costs. According to an analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Berwick, Joynt and Shrank, JAMA 2019:dpi/1001), researchers stated that “administrative complexity was responsible for $265.5 billion of waste.” It is interesting to note that the researchers were unable to find studies that focused on interventions targeting administrative complexity. The lack of any studies focusing on how to decrease administrative costs reminds me of an interview I watched between a journalist and an expert medical economist. The medical economist had spent years in Washington analyzing medical economics. At the conclusion of the extensive interview, which covered a myriad of medical economic situations and scenarios, the researcher simply asked, “So why are medical costs too high?” The economist responded, “They are high because we charge so much.” There was a long, awkward pause, and the journalist nodded her head as if trying to wrap her mind around the obvious. The journalist continued, “(If ) healthcare is so expensive because we charge so much, then how many discussions are there in Washington about cutting costs?” The researcher responded, “None, because no one is interested in making less money.”

Now what? I have noticed that mullets are coming back! ’80s music is still playing loud and clear on some local channels. I believe we still have an amazing community of amazing individuals who want to take healthcare back into their own hands and are willing to pay for it. What do you think?

I welcome your suggestions on Alive & Well’s Facebook page. Together, I think we can find our way out! We can guide our community. Look for my live presentation containing the graphs you see in this article. I will be looking for your comments.

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By Emily Anderson, OMS III What is this mindfulness buzzword we keep hearing? If you’re like my mother, you associate it with your job’s quarterly inservices, or perhaps your mind conjures a yoga studio with millennials doing a mindfulness meditation. Those quirky twenty-somethings or that social worker may be onto something—something that has actually been around for ages and which has been called many different names. Mindfulness is simply intentional awareness—of one’s surroundings, one’s emotional state, or another person’s actions. “How quaint,” you might say. “But how is this helpful?” Let’s continue our “word walk” down the street and around the corner… We come upon a related term—one that you briefly saw on the cover of this magazine: Wellness. This word, however, may have an even broader definition than the last and is one that I invite you to personalize. How do you define wellness? How does that definition translate to your maintaining wellness this winter? Is it maintaining good mental health through the holidays? Is it fostering kindness and gratitude? Is it continuing your morning runs despite cold weather? Is it avoiding family gatherings to ward off an easily-spread respiratory illness? Is it avoiding weight gain despite cultural tendencies to indulge in high-calorie, lownutrient foods? Or is it something altogether different? Might I suggest that being deliberate and intentional… mindful… about our daily routines, thoughts, and interactions could be the key to any and all of the above. “The secret to your success is hidden in your daily routine.” – Mike Murdock

How do you begin your day? Do you get up early and intentionally put yourself in a “peak state” mentally and physically to meet—nay, conquer—the demands of your day? Are those demands actually

Mind-Full or

Mindful?

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challenging you to improve as a person? Or do you get up at the last possible moment, rely on stimulants (caffeine) and dopamine fixes (social media, distraction, and sugar) throughout the day, and thus live reactively to almost everything that comes your way? Every decision you make sends a message to you about yourself. Making decisions aligned with your personal values and goals signals to you that you are the kind of person that achieves ____ or maintains ____ . This then creates confidence and momentum. However, every decision you make that takes you in the opposite direction… well, you guessed it. Sadly, most of the time these types of goal-opposing decisions are merely the default, the pathof-least-resistance, the cultural norm, and the average of the choices being made by the people around you. Are the people closest to you goal-setters or goal-getters? Do they achieve, or do they just talk? “Congruence is key to confidence.” – Ben Hardy

About the Author

Emily is a third-year medical student at Rocky Vista University in Ivins with a strong interest in Functional Medicine and nutrition. She loves reading, trying new recipes, hiking, weight lifting, “Walk ‘n Talks” with her husband, national parks, and Ron Swanson. She grew up in Salt Lake City, graduated from Utah State University with a degree in biochemistry, and, upon graduating from Rocky Vista, will continue her medical training on active duty with the United States Navy.

Success is closely related to confidence. In fact, they’re almost inseparable. Now please don’t confuse ego or cockiness with true confidence; success eludes the arrogant on a daily basis. Confidence is feeling plus action—an assurance that can’t be faked. Organizational psychologist Benjamin Hardy said, “Confidence knows it will succeed and acts accordingly. Confidence knows it will succeed because it acts accordingly.” A life that facilitates health and wellness today and for the future requires mindfulness, intention, and deliberate design. As the architect and project manager of your current and future wellness, how well are you prioritizing? Is the project making rapid success, or is your laxity weakening the whole venture? Is your New Year’s resolution something that goes in one year and out the other?

What would it take for you to look back on 2020 as one of your best years ever? Do you want to be closer to your significant other or your children? Do you want to lose fat and gain muscle or lose disease and gain health? Do you want to increase your income, grow your business(es), have more self-control, read more books, or have less chronic pain or depression? What do you want your life to really look like at the close of 2020? Seriously. Close your eyes. Imagine. Visualize yourself in full possession of the knowledge, the body, the relationship, the habits, the fulfillment, and the happiness you crave. Is it emotional for you yet? Are you ready to put down this magazine and begin on those changes you’ve been pushing aside? Good. Don’t wait for January. Waiting for X before you undertake Y is the reason you’re still stuck. Gift yourself with the health-promoting, confidence-augmenting, success-sustaining signals that congruent, prompt decisions invariably confer. When 2020 hits, you’ll already have your momentum: no holiday weight causing unnecessary mental and physical drag; no losing the first week of January just getting organized; no torpor. Just growth.

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Get on the Path to Healing and Recovery from Depression TMS—Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—is a medical procedure to treat depression when antidepressant medications have been ineffective. The majority of people treated with NeuroStar TMS experience significant, long-lasting improvement. TMS is available by prescription only.

CALL PREMIER TMS at 435-216-9290

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A New Day with New Hope and Unlimited Potential! St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 55

By East West Health Team Yes, cytokines do sound like something from a Star Trek movie that one would want to avoid: “Spock, look out! There are too many Cytokines. We must abandon ship.” The truth is that cytokines are actually extremely important to our health. Cytokines are small, secreted proteins released by cells that have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells. There are different types of cytokines in the body, but the ones we want to focus on are pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines. The best way to describe these proteins in our bodies is to think of them as the foremen in your immune system that are contracted with stem cells to help with rebuilding damaged or diseased areas. Let’s say you are playing pickleball with your friends, and it’s getting pretty competitive. Your friend hits a cross-court shot that you instinctively stretch out and dive for. The good news is that you make the save and win the point. The bad news is that you land weird with your arm outstretched and tear a rotator cuff. The pain signal goes out, and the cytokines go to work getting stem cells and other regenerative molecules to start repairing the damaged area. It’s important to have good circulation and blood flow as this will help increase the demand for more stem cells. Unfortunately, our stem cell counts decrease as we age, and we don’t have enough to get the job done. This is when you can get an infusion of stem cells to help you. There has been a lot of evolution over the last few years with stem cell therapy. The more stem cells you have in your body, the quicker you can recover and avoid other procedures that have long recovery times and lots of drugs. Stem cell proliferation is critical to your overall health. By sleeping and eating well, getting exercise, staying in a healthy mental state, and getting the treatments necessary, you can increase your stem cell production and increase your quality of life and the stem cell production in your body. To find out how stem cell therapy can help you live pain free, come see our talented regenerative medical specialists at East West Health. We’ve helped thousands of people with knee pain, back pain, and other joint problems get back to the life they love pain free. Call us today at 435-773-7790, and let’s get back on the pickleball court!

With Cytokines, You Can Play Pickleball Like

“I had pain in my left knee that was to the point where it would wake me at night. I had difficulty standing up, walking, getting up from the couch, and turning over. It severely affected my daily activities. It also got in the way of my favorite sport: pickleball. After my stem cell treatment, I gained back full range of motion. I can run around the pickleball court, I have no pain at night, I can sleep better, and I can walk. The biggest difference for me is being able to negotiate the stairs normally. I have also lost thirty pounds by changing my lifestyle thanks to East West Health.” – Richard C.

Front row: Regan Archibald, LAc, Justin Lane, LAc, Kristie Adams, Michele Schroeder, Cade Archibald Back row: Chris Miller, DC & Josh Bateman Not pictured: Janel Hillstrom, F-NP, John Lawrence, MD

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By Dr. Ward Wagner Nerves are the tiny messengers that transmit impulses of sensation to the spinal cord and brain and return impulses back to the muscles and organs. They are made up of fibers that slide and stretch within the soft tissues that surround them. When nerves become trapped or pinched, inflammation and adhesions in the soft tissues can cause them to lose their ability to glide smoothly. This is known as “nerve entrapment.” Nerves that are entrapped can cause a number of symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, burning, aching, weakness, and even loss of muscle function. What can be done to restore normal nerve function and mobility? Icing and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce inflammation and pain, but in order to get the nerves moving normally, they need to be mobilized. Nerve mobilization is a broad term to describe the restoration of normal neural movement and must begin with identification of the nerve that is causing symptoms. This can be done through evaluation that includes neural tension testing. Sensitizing movements are performed to determine which branch of nerves is affected. Once the nerve is identified, the next step is to perform a technique called “nerve flossing.” What is nerve flossing? Nerve flossing is the use of specific movements and exercises to restore normal sliding and stretching of the “stuck” nerves for normal mobility and function. Specific movements are used to encourage nerves and soft tissues to glide without snags or pinches. The practitioner first takes the patient through the specific movements, demonstrating the proper technique and exercise needed to treat the nerve and then instructs the patient in a home exercise program to do daily. The practitioner can help alleviate restrictive points manually that may be hard to do alone. Nerve flossing on your own can then be prescribed as a treatment regimen.

What is

Will the symptoms resolve with flossing? Once the nerve starts to move normally, you should experience a decrease in nerve symptoms and pain as the irritated nerve begins to heal and the inflammation is eliminated. Strength improves, and normal range of motion is once again restored. You can return to normal postures and activities that you’ve been avoiding because of pain, and as you do so, the mobility and health of your nerves will continue to improve. What if the symptoms persist? If symptoms aren't significantly reduced within one to two weeks of daily nerve flossing at home, the patient should see their practitioner right away. They may need a few sessions of manual treatment or modalities, including spinal decompression therapy, to provide mechanical gapping of the spine in order to relieve pressure off the pinched nerve and calm it down enough to resume the flossing at home.

If you think nerve flossing may help you or someone you know, schedule an assessment in our clinic today by calling 435-673-1443, or you can visit us at dixiechiro.com.

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 59

By Richard K. Harder, MS Ivan Pavlov was a Russian physiologist known primarily for his work in classical conditioning during the 1890s. His theory (the Pavlovian theory) involves pairing a stimulus with a conditioned response. In the famous experiments that Pavlov conducted with dogs, he discovered that objects or events could trigger a “conditioned response,” also referred to in his research as “psychic reflexes.” Psychic reflexes or reactive conditioned reactions too often occurs in interpersonal communications. For example, you lose your temper when someone appearing to be a younger driver mistakenly turns in front of you while driving, causing you to feel mixed emotions of anger and fear. You react (a conditioned reaction) by honking the horn, shaking About the Author your fist at them, yelling, and even allowing such an event to ruin your day. Because of this Richard K. Harder is an adjunct instructor at singular incident, you stereotype all young drivers as the most unsafe on the roadways. In Dixie State University in this example, a conditioned reactive response took place. Negative, spontaneous “knee-jerk the School of Business and reactions” in interpersonal communication never bear good fruit and usually escalate in Communication, and senior undesirable ways. adjunct instructor at the College of Business and Public A better way has been researched and taught by many since the mid-sixties, including Management, University Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than I.Q. of La Verne in California. Goleman writes, “What really matters for success, character, happiness, and life-long He holds a master’s degree in achievements is a definite set of emotional skills—your E.Q (emotional quotient)—not just management from California State University, Los Angeles, purely cognitive abilities that are measured by conventional IQ (intelligent quotient) tests.” and degrees in business and Emotional intelligence has been defined as “the ability to monitor one’s own and other hospitality management from San Francisco State University people’s emotions, to discriminate between different emotions, to label them appropriately, and the City College of San and to use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior.” There has been much Francisco. He is principal of research on this subject. Richard Harder & Associates Leadership Development and An emotionally intelligent or emotionally mature person has developed or can develop the Consulting Services and Lead ability to choose rational, well-thought-out responses in any emotionally charged situation. Smart Training in St. George. Exercising such discipline in interpersonal communication results in less chaos, improved His professional mission as a relationships, and better overall mental and physical health. It is important to pause and consultant/educator is to assist leaders in their effectiveness at think before you respond. Take the time to reflect on the negative emotion (anger, anxiety, managing individuals, tasks or frustration) that you may be experiencing, and choose a proactive and wise response. and teams, while improving Humans, unlike animals in the Pavlov experiments, have the cognitive ability to exercise quality of life for themselves and their families. patience, ponder, reflect, and make wise choices when responding in emotionally-charged situations. It has been my experience that negative, knee-jerk reactions in interpersonal communications create harm and often require extensive follow up damage control. The better way is to think before you respond to any negative emotion. It always results in more favorable outcomes. According to Goleman, “Researchers have found that even more than IQ, your emotional awareness and ability to handle feelings will determine your success and happiness in all walks of life, including family relationships.” Consider this quote from Warren Buffett: “You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you that means everyone else can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass.” I encourage you to build on your present level of emotional maturity and increase your understanding of exercising wisely chosen responses in the inevitable emotionally-charged situations that have or will occur in your life.

Emotional Discipline

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 61

Awakened Soul Studio ~ Boutique ~ Services

We can all benefit from energy sessions, which assist us in acclimating to the new energies of today. Energy sessions help with the integration process; keep us balanced; assist with healing, wellness, and shifting; raise vibration; and align us closer to our heart's desire and highest good. As the energy of earth continues to rise, we are shifting more out of our head/ego and more into our hearts, where we are vibrating at a higher By Joni Simmons, Owner Awakened Soul love frequency. As our mind, body, soul, and spirit become balanced, it Awakened Soul has an energy of its own and is constantly allows the natural healing process evolving. This magical space has been created to assist you on your to take place; we are able to tune awakening journey. It is a space where like-minded souls connect, into our own energy body and share, learn, experience, and raise their vibration. facilitate our own healing on an When you first come through our boutique door, the aroma of emotional, mental, and physical level. This is essential with the sage and incense fills the air. There’s a blissful intoxication as many sacred spiritual items, crystals, symbols, local artist’s treasures, and changes our physical bodies are experiencing as these new higher unique high-energy items fill your senses. Just to be in this space is energies are arriving on the planet. These sessions feel amazing, and you leave feeling lighter, like a blissful energy bath. what often draws many like-minded, awakening souls here. Awakened Soul’s space also has two amazing massage therapists. Through the double doors, you will step into the studio where Arie Milne is wonderful with body work and also specializes in Gua students take part regularly in a variety of daily yoga classes, weekly meditations, and sound baths. We offer a variety of Awakened Sha. Donell De Marquessa is known for her Hawaiian Temple body Soul memberships and passes and special pricing for seniors (65+) work and sacred sound sessions. Donell also offers Swedish massage, and students. Our monthly special events, such as full-moon and deep tissue massage, lymphatic drainage massage, Bemer sessions, new-moon meditation sound baths, are also held in the sacred and facials. You will find my beautiful and amazing daughter Savanah in the studio space. We hold regular Reiki certification classes and special workshops, including vision board making, drum making, wand boutique frequently. Creative and artistically gifted, Savanah is often adding magic to the boutique, redecorating, creating, and combining making, astrology, and many more. At Awakened Soul, we offer energy healing sessions. Some of unique energy items together for you to purchase and enjoy. Savanah you may have heard of Joni’s unique Awakened Soul session. In also handles our Instagram and is often taking amazing shots of these sessions, you will experience a powerful combination of sound, our magical and unique items to share with you on social media. vibration, cleansing, energies, activations, downloads, and insights Savanah can be of assistance in helping you choose those specific that will assist you into a state of well-being, bringing in more of crystals just for you. Life’s amazing journey is full of gifted souls who are here to share your own gifts, awareness, and alignment to your soul blueprint. Joni offers sessions of Reiki, Access Consciousness Bars, guided in our experiences and to assist us on this journey. I'm honored to meditation, and sound baths (private, partner, groups) as well as be sharing this space and facilitating in this process. I’m looking forward to connecting with more of you! remote energy sessions. Love & Blessings, To stay connected about our events, workshops, and our studio class schedule, please follow Joni us on Facebook @awakenedsoulcenter and Instagram @awakenedsouldty and @mindbody

Visit our website at awakenedsoulcenter.com for class schedules, information, and prices About the Author

Joni is a gifted and intuitively-guided energy worker. Sharing her gifts, insights, connections, and this awakening journey with others is her passion. Her fascination with energies and the metaphysical healing methods led her to her Reiki Master, Ministers License, all levels of Seraphim Blueprint, Pranic Healing, Shambhala, Access Consciousness, Deeksha Givers Course for Oneness Blessings, Guided Channeling, knowledge in A Touch for Health healing method, and understanding of the B.E.S.T. system along with the importance of Emotional Clearing, Meridian Balancing, and Crystal Light Bed Therapy. She cleanses spaces and works with crystals and programming crystals and grids. Joni's purpose at this time in her journey is to facilitate physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual balance, allowing healing to take place on all levels and assisting in opening awareness, raising the vibration, and awakening humanity.

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 63

New Vision for the

New Year

By Brigit Atkin

About the Author

Brigit Atkin – Brigit of Brightworks uses alternative healing methods to help improve the lives of others facing challenges and difficulties. She is certified in SimplyHealedTM method and was trained by founder Carolyn Cooper herself. For more information, visit www.brightworksbybrigit.com

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The ancient Roman calendar featured mythical King Janus. With two faces, Janus could look back on past events as well as look forward to the future. For this reason, Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and forgiveness as Romans began each new year. This ancient tradition of reflection with its resulting forward vision can be helpful in creating a happy and successful new year. In the spirit of “looking back to look forward,” let’s reflect on the past year. What was hard, and what did you learn? What did you do really well? What did you learn about yourself ? What challenges

do you feel you have overcome? Which ones are you still working on, and what can you do better to master them? These are several questions to ask yourself as you look back on this past year. Having these questions answered will help you take measure of your life and will bring clarity to what’s next on this journey of life. It will bring you perspective that will assist you in moving forward. Perspective is the way you see something. Perspective has a Latin root meaning “to look through” or “to perceive.” All the definitions of this word have something to do with looking. How we see things has a great impact on our actions and what we bring about in the future.

The lesson to be learned: With an open mind (new eyes), you can create a new reality. I invite you to sharpen your vision by reflecting on this past year and then adjusting your lens of perception as you go forward into the new year. I have no doubt you’ll hear a lot of “2020 vision” themes for a while, and that’s okay. Just keep your sights on what’s important for your best year as you move forward. I hope that you will be wiser, more creative, more successful, and more aware than you were the year before. May you “look back then face forward” with clarity, imagination, and a new ability to plan your future.

If you had difficulties in this past year, maybe a change in perspective will help you see life’s challenges in a new light. With a camera, switching the lens can bring in more light or magnification; on a hike, moving to a higher or different vantage point can bring in a whole new view. Seeking personal inspiration and the counsel of others can allow you to stop reacting in the same old ways and help you create new patterns going forward. The following is an interesting Buddhist tale to inspire: One day, a very wealthy man took his son on a trip to the country to live for a few days on a farm with a very poor family. His goal was to teach his son a lesson about what it means to be poor. Upon their return, the father asked his son, “So, what did you learn about what it means to be poor?” The son answered, “I learned that we have one dog. They have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden. They have a creek with no end. We have imported lanterns. They have an abundance of stars at night. We have a small piece of land to live on. They have fields that go beyond sight. We buy our food. They grow theirs. We have walls around our property. They have friends to protect them.” The boy’s father was speechless. “Yes, dad,” said the son. “You showed me how poor we truly are.” St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 65

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CONNECTION THROUGH MEDITATION Find Balance and Peace Through the Art of Letting Go By Jasher and Lisa Feellove, BeHot Yoga Yoga is the unification of mind, body, and spirit (breath). An essential part of yoga is meditation. Meditation can bring balance and peace into one’s life through the art of letting go. In the eight limbs of yoga, meditation encompasses three (concentration, meditation, union), which are known as Samyama. Meditation is something you know through experience; it cannot be taught. There are common themes in meditation, but each person must find his/her own way. You cannot help anyone until you find your own way, but once you have, you will give help without intending it and receive help without looking for it. Two types of meditation are Transcendental Meditation and Vipassana Meditation. Both offer unique ways to approach the art of meditation. Transcendental Meditation is a way to avoid harmful thoughts and promote relaxation by sitting with your eyes closed and repeating a mantra. Vipassana Meditation is the focus of breathing and contemplation through impermanence. The practitioner is to make a conscious effort to mind their breath. Watching one’s breath allows one to gain insight into impermanence, which is an essential doctrine of Buddhism. In these practices, peace emerges preeminently. We forgive our past the best we can and meet the future with strength and poise. In the Diamond Sutra, the author discusses the causes of depression (living in the past) and anxiety (living in the future). When a person is younger, the tendency is to live in the future. When a person is older, the

tendency is to live in the past, thinking of things that could have been done differently. Meditation focuses the mind on the present moment, not the past or the future; this is the secret behind meditation’s power. Meditation restores present-mind awareness, which weakens and disrupts disharmonious thoughts. The great Zen teacher, Shunryu Suzuki, whose most noteworthy student was Steve Jobs, stated, “If you desire any state, begin from the state desired.” There is no preparation: one must start from how they want to become. The practitioner must begin with forgiveness. It is not the depth of knowledge but our confidence in our original nature that is the most important thing. Even the Dalai Lama, with his 14 reincarnations, stated that the spirit, or the big mind we all share, connects us to wisdom that exists. There are many forms and disciplines of meditation. However, all types share three common tendencies: Sitting or lying with a straight spine, going within (focused breathing), and having no attachments. The practitioner can begin in one of three positions: legs folded underneath, kneeling on a cushion, or lying full-length on the back in Savasana. People often tell me, “I don’t know how to meditate,” or “I don’t have time to meditate.” The first unit of meditation is only twelve seconds long. Babba G, my teacher, would often tell me, “Meditation is the only thing you cannot do. If you are lucky, the meditation would happen.” To live in the present is to know peace. Be Hot Yoga hopes to inspire and encourage others to take the first steps needed to begin to find their own way and to sit down, feel your breathing, forgive yourself, and connect to heart energy. Namaste. Peace + Love This pass is redeemable at anytime. Location 558 E Riverside Dr St. George Ut 84790 Any questions call (435) 225-6529 No reservations necessary See class schedule online at BeHot.com or download our app “Be Hot Yoga” in the App Store or Google Play Mats and towels available for rent We are the only authorized Lululemon Boutique in

BEHOT.COM | (435) 225-6529

Southern Utah

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 67

By Todd Francis Johnson, Northwestern Mutual In volatile economic times like the ones we’ve seen recently, it’s not surprising that people want something they can count on—a stable financial asset that will be there to help them meet important financial needs, no matter what. For many, that vehicle is permanent life insurance. Permanent life insurance (sometimes referred to as whole life insurance) is a unique financial tool. That’s because it can provide a foundation of protection for your entire life, no matter how long you live (assuming that premiums are paid to keep the policy in force). In contrast, term life, another popular type of insurance, provides coverage for a specific period of time, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. This means a term life policy might end long before your need for it does. Keeping Pace with Changing Needs The ability to provide protection for your family throughout your life can be a vital benefit, especially given the fact that life expectancies are on the rise in America. Today, it’s not uncommon for someone to live two or more decades into retirement. Where once expenses tended to fall as people aged, that’s not necessarily the case these days.You may be retired, but that doesn’t mean your mortgage or other expenses are retired, too. Similarly, you may have a pension plan, but those benefits may pass away when you do, leaving your spouse without a financial safety net after you die. Permanent life insurance lasts for the rest of your life; it’s there when you need it. And because permanent life provides a guaranteed payout, you don’t have to worry about becoming uninsurable later in life. Your family or your business is protected regardless of your health. Planning Flexibility Today and Tomorrow Equally important, permanent life insurance also provides cash value that is guaranteed to grow tax-deferred each year regardless of what’s going on in the market. This amount can be used in the future for any purpose you wish. For example, you can borrow against your policy’s cash value, generally on a tax-free basis, and use that money for a down payment on a home, to help pay for your child’s college education, or to supplement your income in retirement. Keep in mind that any loans you take will accrue interest and decrease the cash value and death benefit of the policy if you die before paying them off. However, if you decide to stop paying premiums and surrender or cancel your policy, the accumulated policy values, less any loans and interest, are yours.

About the Author

Todd Johnson is a Wealth Management Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. Todd has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2003; he began after completing his Law Degree at Case Western University. He is married to Erin Johnson and they are the parents of three beautiful girls. When he is not working, Todd enjoys spending time boating, mountain biking, riding horses, and spending time with his family.

A Cost Effective Alternative Many permanent life insurance policies are eligible for dividends, which can add to your death benefit and any cash value, which grows tax-deferred. These dividends, which are not guaranteed, can be used to pay all or part of your premiums, helping to reduce or even eliminate your out-of-pocket cost for coverage. They can also be used to increase your total death benefit over time without increasing your premiums. The Power of Partnership You’ll also want to understand what you’re buying. This is where a trained financial representative can help. A good financial representative will help you evaluate your goals and objectives and help identify which products offer the most appropriate solution for your unique circumstances. Equally important, a trusted financial representative will review your insurance policies with you every year to ensure they continue to meet your changing needs.

Stability for Challenging Times

The Benefits of Permanent Life Insurance Article prepared by Northwestern Mutual with the cooperation of Todd Francis Johnson. Todd Francis Johnson is a Wealth Management Advisor with Northwestern Mutual the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and its subsidiaries. Todd Francis Johnson is an agent of NM based in St George, UT. To contact Todd Francis Johnson, please call (435) 628-8248, e-mail at todd.johnson@nm.com, or visit toddjohnson-nm.com. This information is not intended as legal or tax advice.

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 69

By Jessica Elgin, REALTOR

I Found My House!

Now What?

The buying process can be very stressful. It may seem like finding the perfect home is the hard part, but really, that's just the beginning. Once you've made your offer, you may feel a little lost. You may feel unsettled about whether your loan will close or wonder when you should start packing. With so much uncertainty, it's not hard to see why most people are asking, "What's next?" There is a lot to get done in the period between your offer being accepted and closing on your new home, but the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Understanding the steps that need to be taken will help ease that stress. And having a good realtor at your side can make all the difference in the world. After an offer is accepted, there are a few things that need to happen immediately.

1. The earnest money deposit check needs to be secured. This money goes to the title company and will be put toward your closing costs. If you decide to back out of the contract, you will lose the earnest money. However, there are ways to protect your earnest money. I call these “safe islands.”

2. A copy of the contract should be sent to both the lender and the title company. This will be done through the real estate office. The lender will then send an updated pre-approval letter, which can be sent to the seller’s agent.

3. The home inspection needs to be scheduled. It is important to do this as early as possible. If something is wrong with this house, you want to know early in the process. At this time, I also find it useful to have a moisture test done. This test can detect signs of mold. A termite inspection should also be done. We are looking for any reason we may not want to keep the house.

During the next few weeks, you will have several opportunities to confirm that this is the right house for you while still protecting your earnest money. You can do this through three safe islands that are stated in your purchase contract.

The first safe island is the seller’s due diligence period. During this period of time, the seller will provide disclosures that describe everything they know about the house. If any of these are unsatisfactory to you, you can pull out of the contract without losing your earnest money.

The second safe island is the buyer's due diligence period. This time typically runs a week or two past the seller's due diligence period. During this time, you want to get all of your inspections done. Make sure that you are completely satisfied with the physical condition of the home. Any repairs that you would like to have done by the seller should be requested with an addendum to the contract. If you are unsatisfied with the resolution from the sellers, you may pull out of the contract without losing your earnest money deposit as long as it is before the end of your due diligence period. Your third and final safe island is the financing and appraisal deadline. If you decide that you are unhappy with the loan for which you qualify, even if it is the same loan that you agreed to in the beginning, you may pull out of the contract without losing your earnest money deposit. It's important to note that if you pull out of the contract, it needs to be done in writing. As buyers, it is also important for you to be responsive. There will be requests for clarifying information from your lender and the seller. Being unresponsive or failing to follow through can result in the loss of your earnest money or even the loss of the house. An experienced realtor will help you navigate this period of the process, let you know what to expect, and get you across the threshold of your new home. For more information, please call 435-414-1724 View all of Jessica’s videos on Stgnews.com and youtube.com About the Author

435-414-1724 70 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

Jessica Elgin entered the real estate market in 2000 as an investor. After teaching classes to investors at a title company, she became a licensed agent and quickly obtained the illusive Double Grand Centurion Award for selling over 170 homes in one year. Jessica now uses her skills as a Realtor with Red Rock Real Estate to help her clients move through the transacation with as little stress as possible. She is also the local Residential Real Estate Expert for STGNews.com.

By Jason N. Dixon, J Dixon Law, P.C. For most of us, a new year brings new resolutions and new goals. It’s a time for starting fresh—a time for recommitting ourselves and working to accomplish those things in life that matter most to us. During the past year, we may have procrastinated doing some things that were important to us because we perceived them to be more difficult or harder to get started than other, more easily completed but less important things on our to-do list. A new year is a great time to hit reset—to reevaluate and prioritize what matters most. Then, go to work! Each of us will face death; we just don’t know the timing. Thus, having an estate plan geared to our stage in life is, or should be, one of the higher ranked things to do on our priority list, whether we’re empty nesters or just leaving the nest.

About the Author

Jason is a Utah and Arizona licensed attorney with more than a decade of experience. His practice focuses on estate planning, business law, and real estate law. He and his wife are the parents of three young, energetic children. When not giving back rides or telling bedtime stories, he spends time playing the bagpipes, mountain biking, camping, hiking, and just enjoying the incredible landscapes of southern Utah. He can be reached at Jason@ estateplanneronline.com or directly at 435-216-2084.

A proper estate plan covers more than just our physical or financial assets. It includes consideration of things universally important to all of us, such as our spouses, children, grandchildren, friends, and pets. It addresses the following issues, among others: Who will raise our children if both my spouse and I die before they become adults? Will that decision cause contention or hurt feelings among different family members who love our children equally? Do we have a child with special needs that will need special care after we die? Who will care for me if I become incapacitated, and how much control will my caregiver have over my medical

care and financial and physical assets? Am I the sole caregiver for a pet? If so, who will care for my pet when I’m gone, and how will that care be funded? Obviously, the issues we place the most importance on are unique to each of us and depend on our individual life circumstances.

Let’s look at estate planning in the context of something with which we’re all familiar: insurance. Insurance can be a wonderful thing. It is protection for our house, health, cars, and lots of things in between. Even though it’s highly unlikely that our house will burn down or that we’ll be the one whose car gets totaled in an accident, the fact that we’re covered just in case can bring peace of mind. For this reason, I dare say most of us would insure our assets even if our lender or the law didn’t require it. By comparison, what steps have we taken to protect our family and assets against an event that’s not just a possibility but a 100 percent certainty for every single one of us living today: death?

A great mentor taught me that when our actions don’t match our beliefs, we experience stress and discomfort. We can eliminate those feelings either by changing our actions to match our beliefs or by changing our beliefs to match our actions. We all recognize that estate planning is important and something that should be done, so if we are procrastinating putting together a plan or updating an old one, we might be feeling that stress. A new year is the perfect time to wipe the slate clean and make an estate plan a priority. Creating a proper estate plan isn’t as difficult as most would think. With a few hours and the assistance of a competent estate planning attorney, an estate plan can be created that addresses the issues and challenges of your individual situation. Then, you will have the satisfaction and peace of mind that come from having accomplished something important on your new year’s list!

Putting First Things First

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 71

THE

WAY HOME Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in. – Robert Frost

By Lyman Hafen When I was twelve years old, my father gave me a gift that changed my life. It was a horse. His name was Judge. He was twelve years old when I got him, the same age I was, but he was already a legend among the horse people of southern Utah. Decades later, I came across a passage by the writer Thomas McGuane, who knows horses well and whose words reflect exactly how I feel. He wrote: “There is a notion that you get only one great horse in a lifetime, a persistent notion that I hope isn’t true because if that is the case, I’ve already had mine.” Ol’ Judge taught me many of the most important things I needed to learn in my coming of age. He was solid and sound as a rock, always ready and willing. He was swift, and he was smart. He was competent as the day is long and more 72 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

intelligent than I could ever hope to be. He was honest, true, and trustworthy except for one time when I stepped off him to stretch my legs a couple of miles out from the barn, and as soon as I dropped the reins, he whirled and high-tailed it back to his stall. I had a lot of time to think on the long walk back, enough time for my hot anger to melt as I came to understand that I should not take it personally. All he really wanted was to get back home. From the time I was twelve years old until I was nineteen, I spent a portion of almost every day with Judge. When I returned from a two-year mission in Argentina in 1976, Judge, at the age of twentyone, had passed on to what must be that beautiful place where all good horses go. There are legendary stories still told about Judge among some of the remaining old horsemen of southern Utah. Most of the stories are from the time before he was mine, when he was young and ran on the town race tracks of southern Utah against the fastest horses in the territory. The story that describes him best for me happened on the day my dad took him to Middleton, between the towns of St. George and Washington, to spend a few weeks in a friend’s pasture. Judge’s home base was at our family stockyard on the northwest edge of St. George. One morning, Dad loaded Judge in the truck and hauled him over to Middleton, a good five or six miles away. The plan was for him to run in an open pasture there for a few weeks and About the Author eat its plentiful grass. Apparently, Judge Lyman is the author of a dozen books intent on connecting wasn’t consulted about the matter. And landscape and story in the apparently, he didn’t take to the idea. American Southwest. He is executive director of the Zion National Park Forever Project, and is past president of the national Public Lands Alliance. He’s been writing and publishing for more than 35 years, with several hundred magazine articles in publications ranging from Western Horseman to Northern Lights, and was the founding editor of St. George Magazine in 1983. He’s been recognized on several occasions with literary awards from the Utah Arts Council, and won the Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. He lives in Santa Clara, Utah, with his wife Debbie, and together they have 6 children and 15 grandchildren.

That afternoon, Dad got a call at work from the St. George police chief. A loose horse had been sighted running westward on St. George Boulevard. According to the chief, the wild-eyed horse was failing to yield to traffic, pedestrians, or the commands of officers of the law. Several eye witnesses had identified the tall, brawny sorrel with a flax mane as Kelton Hafen’s gelding named Judge. I think Dad’s first reaction was that they must be mistaken, but he quickly realized what was happening. “Don’t bother to try and catch him,” Dad told

the chief. “He’ll be home soon.” Dad headed out to the stockyard on the west side of town, and when he got there, Judge was standing at the gate waiting patiently for someone to let him back into his stall. He’d run five or six miles through the neighborhoods of town, through the business section of St. George, up Diagonal Street, and along the shoulder of Highway 91 to get home, back home where he wanted more than anywhere else to be. *

From time to time, I think of that story. I think of Ol’ Judge and how, even though he was the most courageous creature I ever knew, his greatest desire was to be home where there was security, comfort, and everything he knew to be true. There was an evening when I was thirteen or fourteen years old when I was lost out on the Beaver Dam Slope. I was several miles from our cow camp and hadn’t followed correctly the directions my dad had given me. I was turned around, completely disoriented, and I wasn’t sure how to get back to camp, back to where the old cowboys would be sitting around the fire telling stories. It was a lonely and terrifying feeling. As the sun fell, so did my spirits. I didn’t know what to do. Then I remembered who I was riding. I was on the back of Ol’ Judge. The answer came over me like the fresh spring breeze that rolls across the Slope on evenings like that. I dropped the reins and gave Judge a nudge with the heels of my boots. Within an hour, we were back at camp. I’ve done a lot of traveling in my life, from coast to coast on this continent as well as across much of Europe and South America. Just recently, my wife and I had the amazing opportunity to visit South Korea where my father served in the war a couple of years before I was born. Every time I go away from my home in southern Utah, I drop bread crumbs, in a figurative sense, all along my way. From the moment I leave, I’m thinking about how I’ll get home, and I never want to lose my way back. Once, I had a horse that could carry me home in the dark. So far in my life, there’s only been one like him. Until another comes along, I’ll be dropping bread crumbs. St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 73

Angels

arrived

By Connie Zdunich I had a magical childhood. My “Papa” was a tall, strong man who stood as straight as a tree. He was not well educated, and he had a rather hard life. He was a logger by trade, and harvesting trees in his day was hard work. However, he found his trade rewarding. I was the first grandchild, and for some unknown reason, Papa decided to call me Sister. He and grandma always lived on acreage in the country. I was a city girl, so spending time at their place was magical. Weekend visits were not easy. Papa would come into my room and wake me early in the morning for chores. I would put on my grandma’s muck boots with newspapers stuffed in the toes so they would stay on my feet, and we would head out the back door, past the huge garden, past long rows of yummy blueberries and raspberries, over the stream bridge, down the path, and into the barn. That is where I first learned to milk “Old Donna” at the ripe About the Author old age of five. There’s nothing in the world like fresh milk with cream sitting on top! Connie enjoys working with local Hospice Groups and This strong man with huge hands taught me how to coax Old Dan, the logging horse, over to the fence with Veterans Associations. The red apples freshly picked off a nearby tree so that I could climb on his broad back and ride him in the pasture, military is very close to her holding tightly to his mane. He also taught me the delight in hauling the garden hose over to the rows of carrots heart, with her father being a and radishes in the garden, washing the rich earth from their skins, and eating them with a little salt from an Pearl Harbor Survivor, and old shaker he always seemed to have handy in his shirt pocket. We slopped pigs, chopped firewood, and did all her sweetheart retired Navy. those magical things that are only magical if you do not have to do them daily! Helping support local hospice groups is very rewarding for The years came and went, but I never tired of spending time with Papa. Eventually, I grew up and married, Connie, and she feels being and then, along came Papa’s first great-grandchild, whom he called Little Sister. (I did finally get a sister at the a part of the Spilsbury team age of nine.) is an awesome opportunity. This giant of a man finally grew old. At the ripe old age of ninety-seven, while he was out tilling his garden She is the mother of seven plot in my aunt’s backyard, he developed a pain in his shoulder. After a few days with no relief, we finally daughters and nineteen talked him into seeing a doctor. He was not a big fan of doctors. Papa had cancer, and it was not just affecting grandchildren, who are “the joy of her heart”. She loves his shoulder; it had spread into his lungs and liver. Of course, this was the turning point in his life. He did not being of assistance to those want to be hospitalized; hospitals were not his favorite either! So, the family decided to put Papa on hospice in our community who do so care. The thought of “strangers” coming to care for him was upsetting, and we were not sure how well things much for each of us. would progress. Our first Angel arrived to do Papa’s evaluation. Papa was a bit “puffed up” and not at all sure if any of this “care stuff ” was a good idea. The hospice worker came in with a smile that could light the world, and she had him totally wrapped around her finger by the time she headed out to her car. He asked when she would be back; he “kinda liked her.” Then a different kind of magic came into our lives as we were blessed with a succession of Angels, all so willing to serve this giant, gentle man, and he was blessed to learn firsthand about the gift of compassion in all its glory. We only had four more months with Papa before he took his final journey home to till gardens above. Hospice was our saving grace. Not only did the hospice team render amazing care to my grandfather but they also changed my life forever. The tender care provided by the hospice workers gave me a deep desire to pay forward this gift they gave to Papa. Now the story has come full circle; the time in my life has come for repayment as I am blessed to be able to be a hospice volunteer. This has been one of the most rewarding times in my life. The sweet people I have had the privilege of serving have blessed my life beyond measure. If your loved one needs hospice care, don’t wait. It will bless your life and that of your loved one. If you have some time on your hands, become a volunteer. They are always needed, and I promise that you will be blessed beyond measure. 74 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

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CYCLING WITHOUT AGE Can a little bike ride change the world? By Cycling Without Age St. George and Southgate Senior Living Much has been said and written about providing adequate care for our seniors. Despite the best efforts, many of them will experience loneliness and isolation due to their age, limited mobility, and frail conditions. It’s been proven that daily outings improve not only the physical but also the mental health of seniors because they get to socialize and are shaken out of their often daily routines. What can be done when the mind is willing, but the body can’t keep up? Let me tell you an inspiring story. Ole Kassow bicycled to work in Copenhagen every day because he loved cycling. One morning, he noticed in front of a nursing home an old man sitting in a sunny spot with his walker next to him. He saw him every morning for the next two weeks as he rode to work. Ole thought that the old man must miss the freedom and joy of cycling. One fine morning in 2012, Ole showed up at the nursing home with a rented rickshaw, a cargo tricycle that has a passenger compartment located in front of the cyclist. As he entered the nursing home, he was approached by a friendly looking member of the staff. He said, “I am a neighbor. I’m here to offer rides to the residents.” The lady said, “That’s a great idea; let me just check.” Then she disappeared into the coffee 76 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

room. She reappeared two minutes later with an old lady under her arm and said, “Gertrude and I would love a ride.” Ole asked where they wanted to go, and Gertrude’s reply was prompt. She wanted to go to the boardwalk on the harbor front. On their ride, Gertrude recalled how she had lived in Greenland for a number of years with her husband after the war. The ships from Greenland had docked in this area, and it was very special to her. They shared stories and had a wonderful time. After a ride of about an hour, Ole felt like he had an almost magical bond with this stranger. It almost felt like he had been through a time journey with her. After dropping her off, he left in a rare spirit. The next day, he got a phone call from the manager of the nursing home. She wanted to know what he had done to Gertrude and quickly added, “Now, all of the residents want to go for a ride, too.” CYCLING WITHOUT AGE IS BORN Ole began giving rides in a rented rickshaw in his spare time. He made a lot of unlikely friends and felt like an explorer in uncharted territory. At first, there were remarkable changes in the seniors that got to be taken out on a ride in the trishaw. They returned invigorated, talkative, and more willing to spend less time in bed and more time outside. Ole decided that all these adventures were just far too good not to be shared. So, he wrote to the city of Copenhagen, explaining what he was doing and sending several pictures. Much to his surprise, he received a call from a lady at the city who said that this was exactly the kind of active citizenship they were trying to encourage. She asked if he would like five rickshaws instead of just one. He said you bet! And Cycling Without Age (CWA) was born. It wasn’t long before Cycling Without Age was spreading to other cities in Denmark, and in subsequent years, it spread throughout the world and to St. George, Utah.

BENEFITS FOR PASSENGERS The feedback they got as the program grew was absolutely amazing. They heard back that people who hadn’t been talking for years had started talking again. People suffering from dementia would lose their aggression and would actually lift the spirits of the nursing home residents upon returning from their bike rides. A daughter who had taken a ride with her father said upon returning, “Dad, your smiling. That’s the first time I’ve seen you smile since Mom died.” People in wheelchairs came back from rides singing and smiling. And they heard that blind residents where explaining to the volunteers that to them, cycling was all about smelling the flowers, hearing the birds, and feeling the wind in their hair. When we grow old, we lose the stories in our lives and the witnesses to them. Can you imagine not having anyone around anymore who has experienced what you have experienced? Can you imagine not having anyone to laugh or cry with? Imagine all your stories disappearing with you. Elderly people have so many stories to tell that will be forgotten if we don’t reach out and listen to them. CWA provides the opportunity and setting to share and listen to stories and build relationships.

CWA provides passengers with a new sense of purpose and freedom. It provides them with opportunities to get out in nature, to socialize, and to build relationships across generations. It has a positive physical, psychological, and social impact. It permeates through residences, raises morale, and creates new stories, new friendships, and new hope. For the elderly, CWA helps them break free from social isolation, makes them smile, brings back their memories, and lets them feel a part of society again, thereby renewing their appetite for life itself. It gives them the right to have wind in their hair. BENEFITS FOR PILOTS (CYCLISTS) For the volunteer pilots, CWA is far more about active citizenship than much of traditional volunteerism. It’s more like people getting together because they want to make a difference and because they know this will build and strengthen relationships. Younger volunteers have created bonds with older individuals and with couples that they now consider to be their new grandparents. Volunteers come from all walks of life, bringing their own experiences and stories. They get a great deal of satisfaction giving back to their community and serving the senior and less-abled population. They build relationships, strengthen community bonds, build trust and happiness, and improve their quality of life. And they get some good exercise and great experiences along the way!

BENEFITS FOR COMMUNITIES Cycling Without Age enriches the community as a whole by: • closing the intergenerational gap. • bringing people together, promoting social change and cohesion, and improving trust within the community. • providing a feeling of purposefulness and empowerment. • encouraging individuals to play their part as members of an active, supportive, cohesive, and outward-looking society. • simply bringing hope, joy, and purpose to life.

THE GREY ESCAPE Because Cycling Without Age had seen that short rides of only a half hour to one hour in duration had been very positive for the elderly passengers, they wanted to take it to the next level. In June 2016, an expedition set out from Ronde, Denmark, to Arendal, Norway, a four-day journey and a distance of over 250 kilometers. The expedition included seventeen elderly people in ten trishaw bicycles and about twenty volunteer pilots and various other bicycles. Along the way, CWA’s entourage of passengers and pilots travelled through the countryside, stopping to see horses and ride ferries across (AS OF waterways. They stopped in MARCH 2019) hotels at night, dined together, and even danced. For the elderly passengers who spent most of their lives within four walls, the sights, sounds and stimulation of nature and the wind in their hair had wonderful effects. Many new friendships were forged between elderly passengers and the younger volunteers. Crowds gathered in towns to greet them and wave and cheer as they come through. Elderly people said, “We feel young again.” Some of the passengers had never been on vacation or abroad before. On the trip, they had a bus follow them in which they could store the passengers’ walkers. Amazingly, most forgot they had brought them. People slept without their sleeping pills. One passenger reported, “I’m going to live off this for a long time.” One said she “had not been on holiday for fifteen years, and this was the best holiday she had ever had.” One gentleman said, “It’s heartwarming they are doing this. They have shown us things we’d never have seen sitting back at the nursing home fading away.” Documentary film makers recorded the trip in the heartwarming short film The Grey Escape. This film is available online. On their web page, you can find the essential explanation of the dream on which the Cycling Without Age project is based:

“We dream of creating a world together in which the access to active citizenship creates happiness among our fellow elderly citizens by providing them with an opportunity to remain an active part of society and the local community. We do that by giving them the right to wind in their hair, the right to experience the city and nature close up from the bicycle, and by giving them an opportunity to tell their stories in the environments where they have lived their lives.” So, can a little bike ride (or not so little bike ride) change the world? For the elderly with limited mobility and social isolation and for the volunteers generous enough to share their time…absolutely!

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 77

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By Jack W. Rolfe

About the Author

Mr. Rolfe is the Founder and CEO of the School of Life Foundation. This 501(c)3 nonprofit organization has a mission to increase high school graduation rates.

Last year, I was provided an opportunity to meet with some leaders from the United States Department of Education in Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting was to share the positive impact our School of Life Foundation Character Education Program was having on high school students. During the discussion, it was suggested that I should consider adding to our program some elements of social and emotional learning (SEL). To the knowledge of these officials, the uniqueness of combining character education with SEL had not been attempted, but they recognized that it could create a new and promising approach to assisting young people in attaining their full potential in life. I took those comments to heart and pursued that direction upon returning home. To that end, our organization partnered with Life Launch Centers and created a system called Life Launch University. This new addition to our programing contains a strong component of mindfulness practices.

Mindfulness is a key to harnessing power, which is a very important key to success. Technology has almost all but erased opportunities for mindfulness in our lives. Think about it: How often do you turn off the music, put down the phone, or choose not to play that extra video game so that you can take a moment to look inward and listen to what your body and mind have to say? That’s what it takes, and it has to be on purpose. Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn from the University of Massachusetts describes mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way—on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” This means not letting thoughts define you or control what you do. It means accepting your thoughts and choosing what to do with them. Mindfulness helps keep you from being at the mercy of your emotional reactions or fears. Mindfulness is different from meditation in a few ways. First off, I’m not asking you to sit cross-legged, hold hands, or hum; I’m asking you to take a few moments to be aware of the thoughts all around you and then to focus on and choose what to do with those thoughts. Once you realize that you are not your thoughts, it is very empowering. You are what you choose to do with those thoughts. My article today is a brief tease to prompt your “thoughts” towards considering this practice. It will be your decision to research and implement the best approach for your life. I suggest that it will make a difference! Mindfulness is the first step to increasing your control over your life rather than being out of your mind and controlled by whatever emotions, urges, and behaviors happen to pop into your brain. So, what is next? I extend a challenge for you to try it! What do you have to lose?

Are You Mindful?

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 81

Love Shouldn't Hurt By Colleen Kendall It was her eyes that first grabbed my attention, even before the black and blue bruises covering the landscape of her face, the swollen right eye, the protruding lip, or the outline of hand marks on her arms—all indicators that she had been the recent victim of physical abuse. The glaze in her eyes held a distinct story of much more hidden within the recesses of her silence. She stood in front of the airport bathroom mirror, her hands frozen in the trickle of water from the faucet streaming over them. She stared intensely into her reflection, focusing deeply on her pupils, as if the person imaged back was a stranger—someone she had become years before from the ravages of emotional, mental, and physical abuse. Women shuffled past her, mouths fell open, eyes fixated on her body, but no one approached About the Author Colleen is a native of her, perhaps out of not knowing what to say or do. I felt my feet move the few steps to her Southern Utah and enjoys side, and I gently asked, "Have you been beaten?" She adjusted her head slightly and made a living in beautiful Dixie half nod, as if fully shaking her head might divulge a secret that her abuser would see through and its temperate climate. the wall dividing us from the terminal. She has served as a volunteer "Can I help you? Who did this to you?" I asked. When our eyes met, it was as if there since 2011 at Safe Harbor were a thousand words shared between us in the span of only a few seconds. The words "my Crisis Center and the DOVE boyfriend" managed to lightly tumble over the bridge of her lips. Then in a brief moment, as Center in several capacities, including shelter assistance, if hearing her own voice startled her, she quickly exited out of sight amongst the myriad of crisis support, community people. I searched for her, straining to see the direction she went, but she had disappeared into awareness, & currently as the crowd, leaving me wondering what I could have said or done in that fleeting encounter. a victims advocate. Colleen It can be hard to know the right words to impart to someone you may know or suspect is enjoys spending time with being abused. Educational information from the St George DOVE Center imparts, "Domestic her family, children and violence occurs in homes throughout husband Kelly. every community. It knows no boundaries of color, gender, age, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation." It includes physical, mental, emotional, religious, financial, verbal, sexual, and electronic abuse. It is a pervasive, life-threatening crime, affecting millions of individuals throughout the United States each day. Some warning signs of abuse in a relationship are: • Jealousy • Controlling and possessive actions • A quick commitment early on in the relationship • Unpredictable mood swings 82 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

• Explosive anger • Isolation from family and friends • Verbal abusive • Hypersensitivity • Rigid sexual roles • Placing blame on others • Cruelty towards animals or children • Abuse to prior partners • Threats of violence (including self-violence, such as suicide threats) • Making excuses or justifying abusive behavior • Extreme monitoring of electronic devices While statistics are staggering—nearly twenty people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States—there is hope that you or someone you may know who is experiencing abuse can escape and recover from the current situation. Approaching someone you may suspect is being abused can be a game changer, as most victims blame themselves for their abuse. It also can be a lifeline for a victim feeling isolated and alone. Six tips to help you navigate through this process are: 1. Respect the victim’s privacy and confidentiality. This is essential to building their trust and ensuring their safety. 2. Express your belief in what the victim is sharing with you; listen and validate their experiences. 3. Acknowledge that the injustice and violence perpetrated against the victim are not his or her fault. No one deserves to be abused. 4. Don't victim-blame with statements such as, "Why don't you just leave.” 5. Help prepare a future safety plan for leaving by referring to local community resources, such as the DOVE Center. 6. Respect the victim’s autonomy and right to make decisions according to his or her own timeline. Keep in mind that it is extremely difficult for a victim to leave an abusive relationship after his or her selfesteem has been eroded and stripped away by the abuser. According to the National Domestic Violence Coalition, on average “a woman will leave an abusive relationship seven times before leaving for good." In my mind's eye, I often think of the woman in the airport that day. To me, she represents the multitude of women and men suffering silently from abuse every day. Having found my way to a life of safety, peace, and happiness after experiencing the damaging effects of abuse myself, I know that there is hope beyond abuse. If you or someone you know is the victim of abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or the DOVE Center twenty-four-hour helpline at 435-628-0458 Visit the DOVE Center website at dovecenter.org for more information

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 83

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WHY DREAM SMALL WHEN LIFE IS SO BIG? By Ivie Noelle Forsyth My name is Ivie Noelle Forsyth. I am fifteen years old, and I come from a homeschooled family of ten kids. I am passionate about the performing arts, words, and family. My mission in life is to inspire others through love and art.

When I was three years old, I was introduced to the theater. I remember the first time I set foot on stage; I was incredibly nervous, incredibly young, and incredibly naive to the fact that this moment would define who I would become. My first performing experience was in Shakespeare's A Midsummers Night's Dream, which was put on by my mom's homeschool class. Though I played a fairy who was in only one or two scenes, I fell in love! In the twelve years since then, I have performed in twenty-two full productions. My favorite roles have included Viola (Twelfth Night), Margie (Bye Bye Birdie), Mrs. Potts (Beauty and the Beast Jr.), and Cinderella (Into the Woods). Sometimes I get asked why I do it. Why spend hours at the theatre? Why continue after a particularly frustrating rehearsal? Why go home emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausted every night? Sometimes I wonder about these things myself. I do what I do because there is a moment when I step out on that

stage, the lights come up, and a song or monologue starts to spill from my lips. In that moment, there is a spark. Suddenly, I'm not myself anymore. I am a character with a story to tell, and if I can tell it right then that story can be the thing that inspires someone to change their life. My character could be the character someone identifies with and relates to; the story I'm telling could be the story someone needs to hear. In that moment, the long hours, frustrations, and exhaustion don't matter; all that matters are the people I can inspire!

About the Author

Ivie Forsyth is well-known among the local theater community. A self-driven, ambitious, kind and articulate young woman, Ivie emulates a love of learning. She shines on and off stage as she works hard at everything she commits to.

I also love using words to inspire. I believe that words hold immeasurable power. I will never forget the time when I went out biking and got to a very steep hill, one I had never been able to ride up. As I started up the incline, over and over I said out loud, “I can do this; I can conquer this.” Slowly but surely, I made my way up to the top of the hill. In that moment, I conquered more than just a really steep hill; I conquered myself. I was able to show myself that I have power and that my words can access that power. My words can lift, give light, and help someone off the ground, or they can hurt, destroy, and push someone down. I know that I probably can't change the entire world. I can't inspire every person, but I sure can try—one person at a time, one smile at a time, one word at a time. After all, why dream so small when life is so big?

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 85

By Martin Koford, CMHC

About the Author

Martin Koford is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and has the training and life experiences that enable him to tailor a personal counseling experience for you. He provides treatment for individuals, couples, families, and groups dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction, marriage and family conflicts, and stress management issues.

The new year can be filled with lots of opportunity and hope, and it is a time to reflect on what we would like to improve in the coming year. New diets, exercise plans, and vacations are frequently on the list. One key factor that is often overlooked is setting mental health goals. Let’s start this new year by learning about reducing stress with the alphabet and exploring what I call the ABCDE model. When we feel the effects of stress, it can feel like carrying a backpack full of rocks. Each stressor is like adding another rock to the pack. Over time, it takes more and more effort to carry the weight, making our journey through life more difficult. Let’s begin by singing the alphabet song: Ready, set....just kidding! Instead, let’s begin by taking a rock out of your pack. The rock I’m choosing is frustration related to driving around in our wonderful city. A is for the activating event. Things happen every day that are beyond our control. It is how we respond to the event that is important. Example, a driver cuts me off. B is related to the beliefs or automatic thoughts that we have concerning the event. This comes from our life experiences. How have we responded to similar events in the past? Example, I think the driver is stupid and careless. C is connected to acute and past consequences and feelings associated with the event. Example: I become angry and need to let the other drive know how stupid he is. D is the behavior associated with the powerful emotions that are connected to the event.

Using the Alphabet to

Example: I pull up next to the offending driver, start yelling, and of course, flip him off, which seem to be standard protocol. E is connected to evaluating and challenging these automatic responses and behaviors so that we move toward healthy, productive outcomes. Example: I’m upset for the next few minutes (or hours). I tell everyone that will listen about this horrible event. Now, as I challenge my process in this example, I realize that the other driver probably had no intention of cutting me off and has minimal awareness of how this has upset me—if they know at all. So I’ve spent a chunk of my precious day packing around this rock of anger when a possible explanation is that the other driver had bad diarrhea and needed to get to the bathroom immediately. I get to choose how I respond to a given event and to determine a new thought that helps me process the event in a healthier or, in this case, funnier manner. It really is a personal choice whether I will be angry and/ or stressed or whether I will find another method (like humor) that will help lighten my heavy backpack. Good and bad stressors are a part of everyday life. Practice applying this technique to help balance out daily stress. With practice, your backpack will become lighter, and driving in our wonderful city will be more enjoyable because you’ll be laughing more. 86 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | January/February 2020 87

January 2020 January 3-4 The Ultimate Outdoor Expo 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Location: Washington County Legacy Park - 5500 West 700 South Hurricane, UT 84737 Up to 25 FREE Activities and Workshops! Featuring the Kansas City BBQ Competition, Masters Series. This is an incredible opportunity to see some of the best BBQ Teams in the West compete for the coveted Grand Champion Designation! You will have the opportunity to "test" the Paddle boards, Kayaks, Canoes on site at the show "Water Sports Test Pool". Enter to win "The Ultimate Campsite" grand prize, see dozens of different RV's and camping trailers, the newest popup trailers and so much more! January 4 Little Big Dog Trail Run 8:00 AM Location: Kershaw-Ryan State Park - 300 Kershaw Canyon Road, Caliente, NV Grab your favorite canine running buddy and join use for a New Year Trail Run. This trail run will be held at KershawRyan State Park on January 4th, start time 9am for 14K, 9:30am for 4K. Kershaw-Ryan State Park is the coolest little spot to hangout. It has some great trails that will take you up to the top for some great views. If you are lucky you'll watch the Union Pacific train go through Rainbow Canyon. The park has a playground and a pond for the kiddos, a volleyball net, and a horseshoe pit so after your run with Rocky Road Adventures, stay and relax for a bit. Fees/Admission: $4.00 to $40.00 January 9 St. Petersburg String Quartet 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Location: Heritage Center Theatre - 105 N 100 E, Cedar City, UT 84720 One of the world’s most esteemed chamber ensembles. Their raise to fame has included a Grammy nomination, an opening night performance at Mostly Mozart at Lincoln Center, and a number of prestigious international awards including 1st Prize at the All-Soviet Union String Quartet Competition. The Box Office Opens at 6pm. The Lobby Opens at 6:30pm and Seating Begins at 7pm. Fees/Admission: $30 for Adults and $15 for Iron County and SUU Students. No Children under 6. January 11-12 The Girl Squad Sleepover 6:00 PM Location: Sand Hollow Resort - 5662 W. Clubhouse Dr., Hurricane, UT .Did someone say sleepover? Yes we did. We are channeling our inner girl and reconnecting with her spirit to expand, make friends and just experience MORE joy in this amazing world. Come for a night of FUN, soul finding and empowerment. Leave enlightened, giggling and with new BFFs. We are staying at the beautiful Sand Hollow resort just outside of Hurricane, Utah. Your ticket price includes sleeping arrangements (in a bed, of course) all meals, activities and swag. Fees/Admission: $249 Per person. Only 16 tickets available.

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January 14 Adult Coloring Club 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Location: St. George Branch Library - 88 West 100 South, St. George, UT Held every Tuesday from 1-2pm. Groundbreaking research in 2005 proved anxiety levels dropped when people colored mandalas, which are round frames with geometric patterns inside. Just like meditation, coloring allows us to switch off our brains from other thoughts and focus only on the moment, helping to alleviate free-floating anxiety. Trendy, relaxing, and definitely cool. Bring your coloring book and coloring pencils and spend a stress free hour with friends. Fees/Admission: Free January 14 -15 St. George Senior Expo 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Location: Dixie Convention Center - 1835 South Convention Center Drive, St. George, UT 84790 All things for Seniors dedicated to enhancing your lifestyle. So, come catch the wellness wave where you will experience Pickleball, Free Health Screenings, Entertainment and Bingo are just some of the fun things we will have to offer at this annual community event. Come see vendors relating to health care, insurance, hobbies, travel, financial investment, future planning, care giver planning and so much more. This is more than just an expo this is an event you and your family won’t want to miss. Discover - Experience Awaits! Fees/Admission: Free JANUARY 17–19 Mesquite Motor Mania 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Location: CasaBlanca Resort - 950 West Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, NV Join us for a 3-day, jam-packed weekend in Mesquite featuring vintage cars, new cars, custom automobiles, beloved classics – you name it! We’re also giving away $15,000 in cash/ drawings to given to Car Show Participants. So don’t forget to vote for your favorite vehicle! Fees/Admission: Free JANUARY 24-26 Mesquite Balloon Festival 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Location: CasaBlanca Resort - 950 West Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, NV This annual festival occurs the last weekend in January and showcases hot air balloon launches each morning. Also, join us in the evening for the night glow and live entertainment in the CasaBlanca Showroom and Skydome Lounge.